Charlie Appleby: I've been trying to get Space Blues in the race for three years

Space Blues: seeks a second French Group 1 successCredit: Edward Whitaker

Sunday: 5.00 Longchamp
Qatar Prix de la Foret (Group 1) | 7f | 3yo+ | Sky

French runners have struggled to win the Foret in the last ten years. Since 2010, only the brilliant Goldikova (2010), Moonlight Cloud (2013) and Make Believe (2015) have fended off the British and Irish raiding party. Are we about to see another local superstar emerge or will this year's running fit the recent trend?

The bookmakers believe it will be groundhog day once again and official figures back that up. Space Blues leads the British charge for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin, who seem to be untouchable with their foreign challenges around the globe this season.

The star sprinter is unbeaten at this track (1-1), recorded his sole previous Group 1 success in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville last August and sets the bar high with an official mark of 117.

Appleby has always thought Space Blues was versatile as to the ground, but both of his starts on soft resulted in fourth-placed disappointments (7lb and 26lb below his career-best on RPRs). So he has something to prove.

In contrast, Kinross, who beat Space Blues by three-quarters of a length in the Lennox Stakes in July, relishes autumn ground and has been targeted at this race since his Glorious Goodwood success.

Frankie Dettori, who rode 2014 Foret winner Olympic Glory, returns to the plate after partnering the Ralph Beckett-trained sprinter to victory in the John Of Gaunt in May.

Deep ground will also suit Irish challengers Njord and Thunder Moon, who has had a disappointing season but performed with great credit in the Prix Jean Prat and shouldn't be overlooked.

Prix du Pin winner Sagamiyra will look to follow in the footsteps of the aforementioned French greats but has about 6lb to find with a peak Space Blues once the sex allowance is taken into consideration.

Speak Of The Devil, who finished two places behind Sagamiyra last time after enduring a troubled passage, could be the value option at a double-figure price. She ticks more boxes than most.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

'He looked fantastic in his work in the week'

Charlie Appleby is expecting a "war of attrition" as he prepares for a three-year plan with Space Blues to finally come to fruition at Longchamp.

The Foret brings up the rear of proceedings on Arc day and the ground could be severely testing by that point if the expected heavy rainfall arrives in Paris.

Space Blues has established himself as a seven-furlong specialist and has won seven times at the trip, including a valuable contest on Saudi Cup night in February and in the City of York Stakes last time out.

Appleby said: "This is a race I have been trying to get Space Blues to run in for the last three years, but unfortunately he has met with a setback on each occasion. We have put him in bubble wrap since the City of York Stakes and he goes into this in great shape. He looked fantastic in his work during the week.

"He loves soft ground but it's the last Group race of the day and it could be a war of attrition looking at the forecast. I'm pleased with his draw in stall ten and William Buick knows him inside out."

What they say

Lisa-Jane Graffard, representing Godolphin, owners of Erasmo
He is very ground versatile and, while he doesn't have Group 1 credentials and stall 11 is slightly against him, he is a very honest and consistent horse.

Jamie McCalmont, racing manager to Marc Chan, owner of Kinross
We've had this race in mind since Goodwood and it seems like we're going to get the ground, which is lucky. He's good with gaps between his races and we took a bit of a shot running him in the Maurice de Gheest. He didn't run badly though and seven furlongs appears to be his best for now.

Charlie Fellowes, trainer of Onassis
It's obviously a very big ask as it's a decent race, but she has one major thing in her favour as it looks like it's going to be very testing ground. If she can produce a run like she did in the Champions Sprint last year, then she has every right to go close, and she might be slightly overpriced if they get the forecasted rain.

Adam Ryan, son of and assistant to Kevin Ryan, trainer of Last Empire
She wants proper soft ground, which it looks like she's going to get. It's a big step up in grade but that ground certainly brings her into contention.

Mikel Delzangles, trainer of Sagamiyra
She is very quick on her feet and she loves the track. I expect there to be tough opposition but I'll be disappointed if she doesn't run very well.

Ado McGuinness, trainer of Current Option
He's a 7f specialist and he'll certainly go on the ground. We're stepping him up in class, but he's a Listed winner and a Group 3 winner, so he deserves a crack at it.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Thunder Moon
He's in good nick and, if things fall his way, we think he has a good chance.

Paddy Twomey, trainer of Peals Galore
She's in great form and we think the trip and the track will suit her. If the heavy rain that is forecast could miss Longchamp that would be suitable, although she is quite versatile with regard to the ground.
Reporting by Sam Hendry

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3.05 Longchamp: the lowdown on Adayar, Tarnawa and more in the 2021 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

3.05 Longchamp: a blue day in Paris? Keith Melrose assesses who will come out on top in the Arc (Members' Club)

3.50 Longchamp: James Fanshawe letting Audarya's jockey 'get on with it' from low Opera draw

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