WANTAGE trainer Henry Candy is eyeing a return to the big time with Limato after his stable star continued his recent revival with a clear-cut victory at York.

Having ended a spell in the doldrums by taking a Listed event at Newmarket last time out, the six-year-old followed up at the same level in the Ryedale House Garrowby Stakes over six furlongs.

Anchored at the rear of the field, the 4-9 favourite was produced by Harry Bentley around the outside of his rivals and although forced to work hard by Stormbringer, the dual Group 1 winner crossed the line with a comfortable two lengths in hand.

Candy said: “The ground was definitely on the soft side and he hates it. We deliberated long and hard. I walked the track and decided it was probably just okay.

“He doesn’t have that electric turn of foot when the ground is soft, but his class got him through.”

Now the Kingston Warren handler will look to step Limato back up to Group class for his next start.

“I think he is nearly as good as ever – certainly as enthusiastic as ever,” said Candy. “He will go where he gets some decent ground now. The first possibility is the Bengough Stakes at Ascot and obviously there is the Prix de la Foret on Arc day. “There is also the Challenge Stakes at Newmarket and the Champions Sprint at Ascot, but that is late in the year and I imagine the ground will be completely gone.”

Candy also struck at Salisbury with Past Master, who made all the running under Ryan Moore to claim a

mile-and-a-half handicap by a length and three-quarters.

Meanwhile, his smart mare Chain Of Daisies is on course to follow up her recent impressive win at the Wiltshire track with a crack at the Listed EBF Stallions John Musker Fillies’ Stakes at Yarmouth next Wednesday.

Fitzwilly, from Mick Channon’s West Ilsley yard, was given a tremendous ride by Silvestre de Sousa to hold off Navajo Star by a head in a two-mile handicap at Kempton.

And Charlie Bennett was seen to good effect in the saddle as Dorian Gray sprang a 14-1 surprise for East Ilsley trainer Hughie Morrison in a mile-and-a-half handicap at Wolverhampton.