Space Blues ready to blast away from Jersey Stakes rivals for Godolphin

Jersey Stakes (Group 3) | 7f | 3yo | ITV/SKY

Godolphin won this with subsequent Group 1 winner Ribchester three years ago and the classy Space Blues could be on the road to similar company if he continues his recent progress for trainer Charlie Appleby.

The son of Dubawi has been a revelation since dropping back to seven furlongs, winning a handicap at York in devastating fashion before following up in Listed company at Epsom on Oaks day.

Space Blues accounted for three of these rivals at Epsom, including runner-up Urban Icon, who has beaten just a neck, while Marie's Diamond (third) and Angel's Hideaway (fourth) were not far behind.

A keen-going sort, Space Blues is tackling a straight course for the first time could be played late by in-form jockey James Doyle.

Charlie Appleby said: “Space Blues has been very progressive since dropping back to seven furlongs. He has come out of Epsom in great order and I can’t find any negatives going into this race."

He added: "It’s a step up in class, but he is showing all the right signs at home."

Happy Power turned out quickly after York win

Andrew Balding has already hit the board this week and has two good chances to win this for the first time with the King Power Racing's duo Happy Power and Bye Bye Hong Kong.

Happy Power is backing up just eight days after landing a Listed contest over a mile at York and is the choice of the owner's retained jockey Silvestre de Sousa.

Bye Bye Hong Kong, who is the mount of Oisin Murphy, is back to seven furlongs after failing to stay the extended mile of the Group 3 Diomed Stakes at Epsom last time.

Balding said: "Happy Power won well at York the other day and seems to have come out of that in good shape. He's back in trip but is not short of speed.

"Bye Bye Hong Kong is back against his own age group and this looks the right race for him."

So Perfect heads O'Brien trio

Aidan O'Brien won this with subsequent champion sprinter Mozart in 2001 and he fields three runners in a bid to bag it for a fourth time, with the market favouring the speedy So Perfect.

The daughter of Scat Daddy carries a 3lb penalty for winning a Group 3 over 6f at Naas last time and has tackled this trip only once before when finishing a close third in the Group 3 Fred Darling at Newbury in April.

So Perfect: impressed in the Lacken Stakes last timeCredit: Caroline Norris

Stablemate Western Frontier finished fourth to So Perfect at Naas and is another back up in trip, while Fire Fly, one of three fillies in the race, needs to step up on her fourth at Leopardstown last time.

O'Brien said: "So Perfect won nicely over six last time but she was just beaten at Newbury in a Group 3 before that over seven so we think that trip will be fine for her. We were delighted with her at Naas and she has been in good form since."

On the others, he added: "Western Frontier was behind So Perfect at Naas and is stepping up a furlong as well. Fire Fly is a nice filly who wasn't beaten far over this trip at Leopardstown last time."

What they say

Paul Cole, trainer of Duke Of Hazzard
His optimum trip is probably a mile but he has a lot of speed. This looks an easier race at the weights than the Britannia and he usually runs a good race.

Michael O'Callaghan, trainer of I Am Superman
He's in the best form that we've ever had him in going into a race. We dropped him in at the Curragh in the Guineas thinking there would be a strong pace but there wasn't and he did best of those that were dropped in. The stiff seven at Ascot will really suit him and he goes there with every chance.

Marie's Diamond: finished behind Space Blues at Epsom but should be suited by these conditionsCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Charlie Johnston, assistant to Mark Johnston, trainer of Marie's Diamond
He posted a career-best performance at Epsom last time and this stiff seven furlongs will suit him. He needs to improve to be in the shake-up, though.

Aidan Fogarty, trainer of On A Session
It is obviously a massive step up from Listowel but we're hoping he'll run into a place. We're putting cheekpieces on him because we felt he was a bit lazy at Listowel. If he sneaks a place I'll be over the moon.

Richard Fahey, trainer of Space Traveller
It was a messy race in France last time and seven furlongs at this track should suit him. He needs a career-best to win.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Masaru and Urban Icon
I like Urban Icon a lot. The track will suit him and he should run very well. We were aiming Masaru at the Britannia but the easy ground went against him. I've been very happy with him and he should run well too.

John Gosden, trainer of Angel's Hideaway
She won at the track last year which is encouraging and she's been going well at home. The drying ground should help.

Spotlight verdict

Godolphin colt Space Blues has impressed the last twice and won by a cosy neck from Urban Icon in the Listed Surrey Stakes at Epsom last time. He has more left in the tank and holds appealing claims today.

Bet in any race at Royal Ascot today with William Hill on the Racing Post and get money back if you finish 2nd. For full details click here