Paul Mulrennan: I have my doubts over City Of Troy

I will be on the road early on Saturday, bound for a full book at Musselburgh. It is one of those exciting afternoons where a good case can be made for each of my seven rides. 

I start with Doon The Glen (1.40pm) in the opener. He’s one of three for Jim Goldie who also saddles Eternal Sunshine and Global Humor. The visor (back on) will help him, and he’s drawn well in stall 14. Hopefully, the race will set up nicely and we’ll be able to get settled and work our way through. Given how the race panned out, he just saw a little too much daylight the last time at Ayr. He had threatened prior to that at Newcastle and Hamilton. 

Rock Melody (2.15pm) likes Musselburgh – three course wins – and she is back on her last winning mark. She took a step back in the right direction over six furlongs at Ayr last time (fourth to stablemate Jordan Electrics) and has probably needed those last three runs to put her spot on. 

I have decent record when riding for Archie Watson and having ridden the winner Do It Now at Ripon last time, I know a little bit about Combat Soldier (2.50pm). Archie has decided to add cheekpieces here and I will be aiming to make use of a good draw in stall 7. This is a valuable seller which can often provide pointers for the Rous at York a few weeks further down the line. 

Hugo Palmer has made a positive start to the season, so I’m grateful to have the opportunity to partner Stenton Glider (3.25pm) in the Edinburgh Gin Queen Of Scots Fillies’ Stakes, and Watcha Matey (4.00pm) in the feature Edinburgh Cup. 

Stenton Glider is a well-travelled filly. She finished runner-up to Habana in last year’s German 1000 Guineas at Dusseldorf, and contested Group 2 races – the Cape Verdi and the Balanchine – at Meydan earlier this year. She was beaten a neck in the Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes at Lingfield three weeks ago, and I think this sharp track will suit. 

Watcha Matey looks very straightforward and again I think that Musselburgh will suit. He tackles an extra furlong here, but this is a sharp track in comparison to Newmarket, with his pedigree suggesting it will be within range in any case. He has risen 7lb in the weights since that Newmarket win, but the form is working out well with The Camden Colt (second), Chaturanga (fifth) and Lavender Hill Mob (ninth) all subsequent winners. Obviously, he remains open to further improvement on just his second start since a gelding operation. 

I really liked Circus Lion (4.45pm) when I won on him in a course and distance maiden last month. I think he is quite a nice horse, with the outcome never in doubt there. He has been working well since, having come out of that race good, and this is the next step in his development. Moving into handicap company from an opening mark of 80 represents deeper waters, so in some respects it will be a little bit of an eye-opener to see how good he really is, but I think he’s pretty smart! He possesses a lot of speed, he’s very fast, so I wouldn’t be at all concerned about being drawn low in stall 3. 

Cuban Rock

(5.20pm) is on a competitive mark and has shown most of his best form here. He showed a lot of speed over six furlongs at Ayr last time, so I’m hoping that he can relax more now tackling this longer distance. Fingers crossed that the comeback run has knocked the initial freshness out of his system. This track does suit his style though - you need a horse who can travel around Musselburgh. 

City Of Troy

is clear of his rivals on the figures, and I know we’ve been here before with Auguste Rodin, but you just couldn’t have him on your mind after the Guineas. The Derby will be his first attempt beyond a mile and if anything, he’s a ‘racy’ individual. There are reasons to have reservations. 

His stablemate Los Angeles, the winner of the Leopardstown Derby Trial, looks a guaranteed stayer. He’s three from three in his career, handles all types of ground, and is very much on an upward trajectory. It isn’t beyond the realms of possibility that he’ll develop into the Ballydoyle flagbearer. 

With Godolphin now left with only Ancient Wisdom following the loss of Hidden Law, and the defection of Arabian Crown, this opens opportunities for others, including Roger Teal (Dancing Gemini), James Fanshawe (Ambiente Friendly), and Andrew Balding (Bellum Justum). 

However, at a massive price, I’ll opt for Julie Wood’s Newbury novice winner Voyage. Pat Dobbs is a lovely rider and he’ll have the chance to sit and bide his time from stall 16. I suspect that he will seek to smuggle him around and hopefully can finish off stronger than the others. I was impressed by his Newbury win and feel that he represents a cracking each-way option. 

I have always liked Eve’s Boy. He has a great attitude, his work has always been good, so I was delighted by his promising debut at Carlisle on Thursday. He’s a nice horse, the one to take from that race, and I’d be confident that he’d beat the winner (It Ain’t Two) were they to clash again. 

Greenness was a factor, so I think he’ll improve a lot for that opening run. He’s an Expert Eye with a good mind, he was very well behaved, and I just liked the way he finished off his race, galloping strong through the line. He’ll make into a nice horse - possibly as a miler – eventually. His owner Allan McLuckie is a nice fellow, and has had horses with lots of other trainers, including Willie Mullins.