No Hiding Charlton's Pride in High-Flying Cityscape

Beckhampton-based trainer Roger Charlton has handled some high-class horses in his time including the 1990 Epsom Derby winner Quest For Fame, but he now believes that his Cityscape, an excellent third behind Canford Cliffs and Goldikova in a sensational renewal of the Group1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot earlier this month, is the best horse he has ever trained, writes Elliot Slater.

Connections of the Prince Khaled Abdullah-owned five-year-old were left ruing what might have been after Cityscape finished two and three quarter lengths behind the winner (Canford Cliffs), having caused a mass of raised eyebrows as he closed in on both the Richard Hannon's star colt and the 13-time Grade 1-winning French super-mare Goldikova at the furlong pole, only to be unable to quicken again in what developed into one of the most memorable races seen at the royal meeting for many years. Those who had placed a horseracing bet would have been impressed by his performance regardless.

Cityscape's run was all the more commendable when considering that the son of Selkirk has always shown his best form when there is some give in the ground, and on the opening day of the royal meeting the underfoot conditions were just on the fast side of 'good'. Had the rain that arrived a couple of days earlier, it is conceivable that Cityscape might have got even closer to the outstanding pair who finished ahead of him and fans of horse racing UK should remember this in the future.

Raised 2lbs following that fine effort to a career-high mark of 121, Charlton now believes that his talented performer is the best horse to have passed through his hands in a long and distinguished career. As long as underfoot conditions are suitable Charlton will send Cityscape to Ascot on July 9 for the Summer Mile, but if the ground is on the fast side then a trip to Maisons-Laffite in France for the Prix Messidor on July 16, is another alternative.