Roger Charlton's Cityscape romped to an impressive victory at Salisbury on Thursday.

The son of Selkirk looked a promising juvenile as he trounced the opposition in the EBF Portway Novice Stakes over a mile.

Cityscape had shaped with plenty of promise when second behind Almiqdaad in a Newmarket maiden last month.

And he was sent off the 11-10 favourite on the strength of that performance.

Settled in mid-division by Steve Drowne, favourite backers never really had any reason to worry unduly.

Cityscape did take a few strides to get on top after being sent to challenge leader Such Optimism (9-4).

But after asserting the Charlton colt got better the further he went, stretching away to win by a comprehensive nine lengths.

Afterwards bookmakers Blue Square gave the winner a quote of 33-1 for next year's Epsom Derby.

Winning trainer Charlton said: "I was surprised he ran so well first time. I ran him at Newmarket as he'd been a bit of a baby at home and a bit colty and I wanted to give him a run. And he probably should have won.

"I was surprised he won as easily as that today, it was a great performance. They went a good clip and it was a good galloping test. The further they went the better he was."

Despite the Derby quote Charlton is by no means convinced that his colt will stay 12 furlongs next year.

"Selkirk is a little hard to judge. They can stay really well. His dam's pedigree is a good Beckhampton family.

"As for him it may be a mile, it may be 10 furlongs but not necessarily a mile and a half.

"This is the second foal of his dam (Tantina) and the first is Scuffle, who has a good profile. So it looks like the mare is making the grade."

Charlton added: "He will have learned so much from today and there will a lot of improvement to come.

"He is a nice horse but he is still weak, and wasn't even ready a month ago.

"We will have to see about plans as I don't know where he will go next, but he doesn't have to run again this year."

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