Sunday 10 July 2016 12:13, UK
Impressive July Cup winner Limato is likely to skip the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood in favour of the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville.
In the aftermath of his striking display at Newmarket, trainer Henry Candy had mooted the possibility of stepping the Tagula gelding back up to a mile in the Sussex Stakes.
However, on reflection Candy now thinks Limato took plenty out of himself in winning the Group One by two lengths.
The Wantage handler also said that the four-year-old's exuberant nature left him with a few bumps and scrapes the morning after.
Stablemate Twilight Son was not at home on the fast ground in the July Cup but lives to fight another day.
"Limato, as is his wont, was still very excitable when he returned to the yard and was very chuffed with himself," said Candy.
"He was throwing his head around and slightly banged the top of his head and also had a scrape near his eye.
"In view of all that, I"d say he probably took more out of himself then I originally thought and I think the Sussex will come too soon now.
"If the ground is right for him he'll go to Deauville, and if it doesn't suit him then Twilight Son could run there.
"It's very likely Twilight Son will run at Haydock in the Sprint Cup next but Deauville is there if we want to.
"You could tell he'd had a race on ground firmer than he likes. He was a bit stiff and sore but he's cheerful enough."
On Limato's July Cup heroics, Candy added: "It was a most exciting performance.
"The only horse I can remember watching as exciting as that is one my father (Derek) used to trainer called Song, who won the King's Stand (in 1969).
"He used to be dropped out last. The commentators would ignore him and then he'd come sweeping through.
"(Limato) would have to be the most exciting sprinter I've trained."
