Merriebelle Stable Pavilion Stakes: Limato tastes sweet for Henry Candy after coming good to extend winning run

The gelded son of Tagula quickly found top gear and was well on top as he passed the post with a length and a half to spare

Limato ridden by James Doyle winning the Merriebelle Stable Pavilion Stakes (PA)

Henry Candy’s exciting sprinter Limato kept his unbeaten record intact with an authoritative comeback success in the Merriebelle Stable Pavilion Stakes at Ascot.

The gelded son of Tagula struck four times during a tremendous juvenile campaign and although Candy revealed this week that his stable star was “not quite as brilliant on the gallops as he was last year”, there was no evidence his powers had waned during the Group Three contest.

Positioned on the far side of the track throughout, the 6-4 market leader was never too far off the pace and was travelling noticeably well heading inside the last of six furlongs.

Once let down by James Doyle, Limato quickly found top gear and was well on top as he passed the post with a length and a half to spare over Tendu, with Adaay the same distance away in third.

Candy said: “He was very rusty and he’s had a real good blow after that. I’ve not been able to get him fit at home as he’s not been doing much. James was quite forceful early on and the penny then seemed to drop.”

Luca Cumani’s fast-improving stayer Mizzou finished best to make a winning reappearance in the Longines Sagaro Stakes.

Stepping up in class and distance after three wins last year, Mizzou travelled sweetly in the hands of William Buick and was nudged along to close down the leaders from the home turn.

Mizzou past the post two lengths clear, with Vent De Force beating pacesetting Forever Now to the runner-up spot. Favourite Pallasator was ridden prominently but stopped in the straight as though something was amiss.

PA