Queen Anne-Bound Cityscape sets Sights on Lockinge

Roger Charlton's smart miler, Cityscape, will bid to enhance his credentials for next month's Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot with a bold display in Saturday's Group 1 JLT Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

The seven-year-old is set to make his seasonal reappearance in the showcase Newbury event, having run well throughout last season at home and abroad without managing to get his head in front. His last victory came when powering home in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free at Meydan in March 2012, slamming Mutahadee by nearly five lengths to land the colossal £1.95 million first prize.

Charlton reports the chestnut son of Selkirk to be in good shape ahead of his first outing of the campaign. Timeform UK pundits are expecting him to go very close to establishing himself amongst the very cream of international milers, especially now that he no longer has to contend with the superb Frankel and the high-class Excelebration, both of whom have been retired from competition.

Cityscape raced in five countries and on four continents last term, invariably running well in defeat, including when fourth over a mile-and-a-quarter at Sandown last July in the Group 1 Coral Eclipse Stakes behind Nathaniel.

Back at his optimum trip of a mile, he gave Excelebration a run for his money when second to Aidan O'Brien's colt in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville, then finished a fine third to top US star, Wise Dan, in the Woodbine Mile in Canada in September.

His last run of the campaign came when once again finding Excelebration just too good for him, finishing second to the star colt in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in October. He is currently an 8/1 third-favourite in the Royal Ascot betting for the Queen Anne Stakes back on June 18.

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Posted by Andy at Bet1015.com on 16/05/2013