Cityscape scores in Meydan for Charlton & Doyle Roger Charlton's Cityscape demolished his rivals in the Group 1, Dubai Duty Free at Meydan. Given a fine tactical ride by James Doyle, the chestnut quickened away from his rivals turning for home and sauntered clear to win in effortless fashion. Mike De Kock's Mutahadee ran on from off the pace to hold on for second, from a fast-finishing Citystyle in third. Michael Bell's Wigmore Hall ran on from off the gallop to finish a gallant fourth. Favourite Ambitious Dragon had every chance but couldn't find a finishing kick, the Aidan O'Brien Await The Dawn faded badly after setting a fast pace, whilst last-year's winner Presvis missed the break and never looked like featuring before trailing in last. Cityscape set a new course record of one minute 48.46 seconds when winning by four and a quarter lengths. Doyle, 23, said: "He had run well against good horses in Hong Kong, but this was a major step forward for him. "I flew back to the UK three weeks ago to ride this horse in a private gallop at Kempton, and I was gobsmacked the way he went. It just shows you the ability he has. "It was his first attempt at the distance, but we had no doubts that he would stay, and Roger told me to be positive from the start. "It hasn't sunk in yet, but this must be the biggest day of my life. My mouth is so dry I'm struggling to speak." Charlton said: "I don't think you can ever expect things like that. He has always been so consistent, he has been training really well, and had a really good prep at home. "He came here and didn't lose any weight. "I thought he'd run very well. I thought it was a very good race and a better race than last year, but I did hope we would get in the money. "The horse has had problems in the past, he broke down in the 2000 Guineas, I've looked after him and protected him. "I was confident the ground was fine and the track would suit him. "That's his first time beyond eight furlongs and he wasn't stopping at the end which is encouraging. "One of the options would be the Lockinge but naturally Frankel (also owned by Khalid Abdullah) will run there. "I haven't thought about it yet, he could go to Hong Kong, Singapore or stay at home. It's a nice position to be in." Mutahadee's rider Christophe Soumillon said: "The winner took six lengths out of me in 10 metres and from that point I was only riding for second. "I understand that this horse will now be heading for the Singapore Cup." Jamie Spencer, fourth on the Michael Bell-trained Wigmore Hall, said: "I thought the ground was quite a bit firmer than ideal for him and that was a big reason why he never travelled."
