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Royal Ascot 2017 betting tips: Limato to sparkle in Diamond Jubilee Stakes

Limato, pictured here in 2016, will have optimum conditions: Getty Images
Limato, pictured here in 2016, will have optimum conditions: Getty Images

The sprinters take centre stage on the final day of Royal Ascot on Saturday and Limato can bounce back by landing the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.

Six furlongs and fast ground ideally suit the Henry Candy-trained five-year-old, as he showed when gaining an easy success in the July Cup last summer.

Limato quickened clear in tremendous style that day and on Saturday (4.20) will be the first time he has since had his optimum conditions.

He showed similarly high-class form on his next two starts — when runner-up to Mecca’s Angel after being dropped to 5f in the Nunthorpe Stakes and when winning the Prix de la Foret over 7f at Chantilly — but stepping up to a mile at the Breeders’ Cup did not work out for him and he began this season with a below-par effort in Dubai.

Rain-softened ground was initially blamed for that reverse at Meydan but Candy, who says he has never trained a better horse in his distinguished 44-year career, later revealed his star had returned home with pulled muscles.

Given plenty of time to recover, Limato will be hard to beat if anywhere near his best. The general 7-2 chance is officially rated at least 5lb superior to all his rivals and Ryan Moore rides him for the first time.


SATURDAY'S TIPS

2.30 Westerland
3.05 Scarlet D ragon
3.40 Idaho
4.20 Limato (nap)
5.00 Raucous
5.35 Qewy

The Tin Man will be a threat if back in the form he showed when winning on British Champions Day at Ascot in October, while American raider Long On Value could sneak into the frame at a big price.

The Wokingham (5.00), also run over six furlongs, is usually one of the biggest betting heats of the week. William Haggas’s horses have been running well at the meeting and his Raucous, available at 12-1, fits the bill. He was a close third in the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood, is equipped with first-time blinkers and will also have the assistance of Moore.

Dartmouth was an exciting winner of the Hardwicke Stakes (3.40) last year, when edging out Highland Reel, and the five-year-old, owned by The Queen, will be a hugely popular winner if successfully defending his crown. However, underfoot conditions will be a lot quicker than 12 months ago and as a consequence he may be vulnerable.

By a twist of irony, the one who may be capable of mastering him is Idaho, the year younger brother of Highland Reel. Idaho finished third in the Derby last year and, in need of his comeback this month, there is definitely a hint of unfinished business about him.

Westerland, a son of Frankel, needed every yard of the trip when winning over 6f at Leicester on his latest start and will relish the extra furlong of the Chesham Stakes (2.30), while Scarlet Dragon is capable of a bold bid in the Wolferton Handicap (3.05). The final race is the Queen Alexandra Stakes (5.35), run over 2m6f and the longest race on the Flat. Qewy, fourth in last year’s Melbourne Cup, has the staying power.