Space Blues Leads British Charge in Prix de la Foret

Charlie Appleby is expecting a "war of attrition" as he prepares for a three-year plan with Godolphin's Space Blues  to finally come to fruition in the Oct. 3 Qatar Prix de la Foret (G1) at ParisLongchamp.

The Foret brings up the rear of proceedings on Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe 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 the Aug. 21 Sky Bet City of York Stakes (G2) 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 10 and William Buick knows him inside out."

The son of Dubawi  is unbeaten at this track (1-1), recorded his sole previous top-level success in the LARC Prix Maurice de Gheest (G1) 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, so he has something to prove.

In contrast, Kinross , who beat Space Blues by three quarters of a length in the Unibet Lennox Stakes (G2) in July, relishes autumn ground and has been targeted at this race since his Glorious Goodwood success.

"We've had this race in mind since Goodwood and it seems like we're going to get the ground, which is lucky," said Jamie McCalmont, racing manager for owner Marc Chan. "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."

Frankie Dettori, who rode 2014 Foret winner Olympic Glory, returns to the plate after partnering the Ralph Beckett-trained sprinter to victory in the Betway John of Gaunt Stakes (G3) in May.

Deep ground will also suit Irish challengers Njord  and Thunder Moon , who has had a disappointing season but performed with great credit for a runner-up finish in the July 11 Haras d'Etreham Prix Jean Prat (G1) and shouldn't be overlooked.

Qatar Prix du Pin (G3) winner Sagamiyra  will look to follow in the footsteps of the aforementioned French greats but has about six pounds 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.