Top commentator Simon Holt previews the fifth and final day of Royal Ascot and fancies Limato in the Diamond Jubilee.
Recommended bets: Simon Holt
2pts win Limato in 4.20 Ascot at best morning price
1pt win Elbereth in 3.05 Ascot at best morning price
2pts win Certificate in 5.00 Ascot at best morning price
The combination of fast ground and six furlongs are ideal conditions for LIMATO so connections will be praying that there is not too much rain ahead of Saturday's Group One Diamond Jubilee Stakes on the final day of Royal Ascot.
A highly-strung individual, it's possible that Henry Candy's gelding does not take well to long distance travel as he was way below his best at both the Breeders' Cup meeting and on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan in November and March.
However, on his European form last season, Limato has obvious claims; at this trip, he was an impressive winner of the July Cup beating Suedois by two lengths and, after finding Mecca's Angel just too pacey over the flying five furlongs of the Nunthorpe at York, he showed his versatility when breezing home in the Prix de la Foret over seven furlongs on Arc day at Chantilly in October.
A horse who is probably best kept fresh, there should be no excuses first time out and his previous course and distance efforts have resulted in an easy Group Three win in April, 2015 followed by a second behind champion sprinter Muhaarar in the inaugural running of the Commonwealth Cup at this meeting. Ryan Moore takes the mount.
The Tin Man is another horse with a good course record boasting two victories from four appearances, including when beating Growl and Brando (Librisa Breeze sixth) in the Champions Sprint here last October.
The softish ground at York on his reappearance in the Duke Of York Stakes last month shouldn't really have been a problem for James Fanshawe's high-class sprinter but he looked a bit ring-rusty (and might have been on the worst part of the course) when finishing only fifth behind Tasleet, Magical Memory, Comicas and Mobsta.
The Tin Man wasn't the only runner to disappoint that day but it could be foolish to underestimate Tasleet who seemed to relish being dropped back to six furlongs (and wore cheekpieces for the first time) while Magical Memory, not beaten far when fourth to Twilight Son in this race last year, ran a mighty race following a seven-month lay-off.
Conditions are likely to be very different here and, if it stays dry, an on-song Limato will be the one to beat.
Earlier, Khairaat is likely to start favourite for the Wolferton Handicap after slamming his rivals at Chester last month.
Sir Michael Stoute's colt could well be a Group performer in the making but has been raised 13lb by the handicapper and will face a thoroughly honest rival in ELBERETH.
This mare does not know how to run a bad race and, after chasing home Somehow in a Group Two at Newmarket, she out-ran her odds of 33/1 when a fine fourth behind the top class Highland Reel in the Group One Coronation Cup at Epsom.
Beaten a short head at the 2015 Shergar Cup on her only previous visit to Ascot, Elbereth has never stopped progressing since and can be relied upon to run another big race in the hands of Oisin Murphy,
In a typically competitive Wokingham Handicap, CERTIFICATE is the highest-rated horse in the field and can prove up to the task with the excellent apprentice David Egan taking off 5lb.
If the race is run at its usual frenetic tempo, a horse who stays seven furlongs can be the ideal type and Roger Varian's gelding drops back from that distance after weakening close home into fourth behind Oh This Is Us, Absolutely So and So Beloved, all of whom have run well since, in a listed race at Haydock last month.
Certificate was twice a winner at the longer distance when very progressive last season, but has given the impression that he only just lasts home and this race could be absolutely ideal. He is also proven carrying big weights having defied 9st10lb at Doncaster last August.
Posted 1030 BST on 23/06/2017
