Proponent was again very consistent, running another game race to be beaten about 5+ lengths, he seemed to hit a flat spot in the middle of the race and then ran on again. Ryan Moore said that the ground didn't really help him, it had become very loose in the last 3 furlongs.

Brunston on the face of it was a bit disappointing but he didn't enjoy the ground and it tested his fitness after a long break.

Horses returning from their work on Saturday morning

Proponent has had a really good preparation and as usual is looking particularly well. He worked nicely on Sunday with Cityscape but I fear he has at least 7lbs too much in such a competitive race, also the ground is unlikely to suit him as he has such a good action.

Brunston disappointed us a few times having won the Spring Cup. He has subsequently had a wind operation which has meant that he has had a slightly rushed preparation. He has been working well but would prefer faster ground and will probably just need the race.

Cityscape was a very rewarding winner for us, and important for the future, as he just could be a horse to win a Group One race when he gets the conditions that suit him next season.  He has always been held in high regard but there have been many times during the summer when I have wondered whether I was ever going to get him to the races. He is a colt that isn't really happy working on the polytrack gallop, but luckily since the rain we have had some beautiful ground to work on recently, which has been perfect to build his confidence and fitness. I would also like to thank the boys in the yard, David Wells (Head Lad), Tom Grantham (Assistant Trainer) and Uilson De Souza (regular rider and groom) who have all made a huge difference to him during the year. Many hours of walking, stretching, physio and applying our Zamar ice machine to his fore legs have been completed.  His future will be discussed with his owner Mr. Abdulla after he hopefully has a very successful weekend in Paris where he must have some great chances. Cityscape is a colt that can give us something to dream about during the winter !

Brunston

Proponent

 Proponent, Cityscape and Brunston

Proponent leading Cityscape and Brunston in preparation for their races (Cityscape runs today in the 1.55 pm race at Newmarket and Proponent and Brunston run in the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket tomorrow afternoon).

 Cityscape is one of my favourite horses and is easy recognisable by his huge rather plain white face. He has struggled for a long time with various issues and as we all know the ground has been fast from the beginning of the season until recently. I was really thrilled with his race at Haydock where he travelled strongly and showed a good attitude to beat off his rivals. I would hope that he has progressed since then and should be suited by the current soft ground. It looks a competitive race and I have always had alot of respect for Penitent who I gather needed his comeback race at Sandown.

 Lucy Limelites unfortunately missed the break which was not the plan so she was always playing catch up which is not easy at Warwick. She did however run on up the straight to be nearest at the finish suggesting that a mile will suit her in the future.

 Lucy Limelites was a very pleasing but slightly surprising winner first time out in a Newmarket maiden race. I think we got quite lucky due to the race being depleted by 5 non runners including the hot favourite who has subsequently been Group placed, being withdrawn at the start. Although the ground was on the slow side that day I am not convinced that she would not be better on fast ground and she is bred to stay further than todays trip.  She has been given a handicap rating of 73 and it is difficult to know whether this is a fair reflection of her form which has been badly let down on at least five occasions recently.

Silbury settled better than she had done at Newbury but she still has some way to go to reach her full potential. She may run in a Nursery on the all weather if there is a suitable race in the next few weeks.

Promenadia  behaved well and ran a satisfactory race but she was unsuited to the soft ground and got tired in the closing stages, perhaps one more run on the all weather before the Winter.

Thistle Stikk is still very green and showed his inexperience in the closing stages.