Tudhope's amazing week continues as Traveller springs 25-1 shock Jersey win

In a week that has quite simply been out of this world for Danny Tudhope, it was rather appropriate he won his fourth race of the royal meeting on a horse called Space Traveller.

Had there been nothing more to celebrate than Lord Glitters' victory in Tuesday's card-opening Queen Anne Stakes, Tudhope could still have looked back on his week with a big smile.

Yet after a great beginning things only got better, and having also won on William Haggas-trained stable companions Addeybb and Move Swiftly, Tudhope took his haul for the festival to four when 25-1 outsider Space Traveller edged out 5-2 favourite Space Blues by a head.

It was a shock success but not of the fluke variety, for although Space Blues at first struggled to find daylight, the Godolphin colt still got first run on Richard Fahey's representative, who had lost his last seven races. More importantly, he won this one.

Space Traveller is clear of eventual third Angel's Hideaway in the Jersey StakesCredit: Alan Crowhurst

"I didn't expect to have four winners, so I have to pinch myself just to make sure it's real," said Tudhope. "I'm enjoying it. I'm riding for good people and I'm riding good horses.

"This horse has ability and we thought he could run well but we didn't think he would be good enough to win. I think he's just a horse who is hard to win with – so I'm chuffed he has won on the biggest day."

Plenty had expected this to be the biggest day in the career so far of Space Blues, but as Charlie Appleby raised the option of the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest, it is safe to say the second has more to give. His partner, James Doyle, received a pair of two-day bans, one for his use of the whip, the other for careless riding.

"I think we'll end up going back in trip with him," said Appleby. "He has an abundance of pace and when he quickened we thought he had put the race to bed."

Disappointingly for Space Blues backers, he had not. Fahey, who landed the 2016 Jersey with Godolphin's Ribchester, was not disappointed.

"I think you would have to say it was a surprise, certainly looking at his form," said Fahey. "We did like him last year and he has now bounced back to the horse we thought he might be.

"Last time we were trying to find an easy option for him and ended up running him over six furlongs in France. We thought he would go there and win to enjoy a confidence booster. I think we now know seven furlongs is definitely his trip and maybe a bit further."

Space Traveller (far side) runs down Space Blues in the finish to the JerseyCredit: Edward Whitaker

As well as praising the three-year-old, Fahey also praised the owner, Clipper Logistics boss Steve Parkin, who was not among the Ascot throng.

"He had a very important meeting but told us how to ride the horse," said a grinning Fahey, although given how well Tudhope has ridden these past few days – there was even a winner at Ripon on Thursday afternoon – he has hardly needed instructions.

"It has been an amazing week for me," he added. "I can't describe it. Thank you to everybody who has helped me."

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