Prix de La Forêt
Group 1, ParisLongchamp 17:00
£312,500 guaranteed,
3yo plus,
Class 1, 6f 211y  
Sunday 3rd October 2021

BetZone

1 Space Blues 18/5F
2 Pearls Galore 77/10
3 Entscheiden 45/1
15 ran NR: Thunder Moon Distances: 2l, ¾l, 1¼l
Time: 1m 22.97s (slow by 4.17s)

The Charlie Appleby-trained Space Blues had been unable to take his chance in the only Group One contest over seven furlongs in Europe for the last two years but made no mistake on his belated appearance.

Having won a very valuable race in Saudi Arabia in February and the Group Two City Of York Stakes, from his four previous starts in 2021, the five-year-old was sent off a well-backed 11-4 favourite – and did not let his supporters down.

Held up in the early stages, Space Blues was third last turning for home. But William Buick oozed confidence as he moved the Godolphin runner to the outside to make his challenge.

Sweeping into the lead in the final furlong, Space Blues was a convincing winner from Pearls Galore and third-placed Entscheiden – giving connections compensation after the honourable defeats of Hurricane Lane and Adayar in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Appleby was confident Space Blues was in top form for his big target, and indicated afterwards he may consider a minor move up in trip next month for the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

“I was delighted the way he’d worked in the last week, after I bubble-wrapped him after the York race,” said the Newmarket trainer.

“His final gallop was the best I’ve ever seen him work, and I thought he was a worthy favourite.

“The team did a great job with him. I knew on Wednesday he was in the form of his life.

“William was able to get his lungs filled up and you could see how well they were travelling.

“Although the ground will be totally different (quicker) at Del Mar, I might suggest we take him there. He’s a class horse and showed us that the way he quickened up today.”

Qatar Prix De La Foret (Group 1)
£312,500 guaranteed, 3yo plus, 6f 211y, Class 1
15 ran
Going: Heavy

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (10)     Space Blues 5 9-2 Charlie Appleby William Buick 18/5F
2 (5) 2 Pearls Galore 4 8-13 P Twomey W J Lee 77/10
3 (16) ¾ Entscheiden 6 9-2 Yoshito Yahagi Ryusei Sakai 45/1
4 (9) 1¼ Kinross 4 9-2 Ralph Beckett Frankie Dettori 37/10
5 (15) ½ Sagamiyra 4 8-13 M Delzangles Christophe Soumillon 47/10
6 (3) 1½ Speak Of The Devil 4 8-13 F Rossi Stephane Pasquier 11/1
7 (13) shd Current Option 5 9-2 Adrian McGuinness Ronan Whelan 63/1
8 (8) snk Tropbeau 4 8-13 A Fabre Oisin Murphy 28/1
9 (2) hd Last Empire 5 8-13 Kevin Ryan Daniel Tudhope 33/1
10 (14) ½ Duhail 5 9-2 A Fabre Maxime Guyon 43/5
11 (6) ¾ Njord 5 9-2 Mrs John Harrington Shane Foley 12/1
12 (1) ½ Onassis 4 8-13 Charlie Fellowes Hayley Turner 40/1
13 (12) 6 Rhythm Master 3 9-0 Richard Fahey P J McDonald 78/1
14 (11) 7½ Erasmo 3 9-0 A Fabre Mickael Barzalona 25/1
15 (4) shd Colosseo 3 9-0 Gianluca Bietolini Theo Bachelot 39/1
NR 10 (7) Thunder Moon 3 9-0 Joseph O'Brien NON RUNNER