October 12 / 13.15 Newmarket

13.15

Good To Soft

Space Blues Darley Stakes (Group 3)

  • Prize money: £48203.5
  • 1m 1f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
ITV
View Course
Space Blues Darley Stakes (Group 3)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 21312 BF

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Has made a smooth transition to Group level, winning the Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood (1m, good to firm) then creditable second in the Park Stakes at Doncaster (7f, good); bred to stay this new trip; still open to further progress and remains of strong interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(3)

17th Jun 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:30 Ascot

Lead Artist

9st 2lb

J: Colin Keane

T: John & Thady Gosden

Trailed home last behind Dancing Gemini at Sandown on reappearance but left that effort well behind to reverse the placings in the Lockinge on good to firm at Newbury, rallying gamely to beat him by a neck and take strike-rate to 4-9; progressive in the main and further Group 1 success from this Juddmonte colt looks very plausible; figures highly in calculations.

9/2

1st

3

(3)

17th May 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:35 Newbury

Lead Artist

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John & Thady Gosden

Largely progressive in his first season last year, winning two Group 3 events and looking the type to improve again this term; however, folded tamely and finished last of eight at Sandown (behind Dancing Gemini) on reappearance; may rebound but is hard to support on the back of that effort.

14/1

1st

3

(3)

17th May 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:35 Newbury

Lead Artist

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John & Thady Gosden

Largely progressive in his first season last year, winning two Group 3 events and looking the type to improve again this term; however, folded tamely and finished last of eight at Sandown (behind Dancing Gemini) on reappearance; may rebound but is hard to support on the back of that effort.

14/1

OUR TIP

11/4

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 017021 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Successful in two notable handicaps over C&D (good/soft) this season and has a Group prize in him; defied top weight in the Cambridgeshire most recently, having raced on the favoured side admittedly but the bare form is smart; commands respect with the track and trip firmly in his favour.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(10)

4th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Sandown

Liberty Lane

9st 12lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: K R Burke

1m winner early in career but has shown best form at 1m1f/1m2f, notably with wins in the 2024 Cambridgeshire and Listed races last year; bit to prove off current mark back down in trip; wears first-time headgear.

20/1

8th

1

(1)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 17y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Liberty Lane

10st 1lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: K R Burke

Usually races prominently (didn't when trying 1m4f last time); a mostly solid 2025 included 1m2f Listed wins in May and November; has started 2026 in downbeat fashion but today's ground could prompt something better, as his top three ratings have been registered on softer than good; below-form favourite in this race two years ago but was denied a clear run; needs to be back in peak form to have any chance.

12/1

4th

4

(3)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:25 Newbury

Liberty Lane

9st 2lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Usually races prominently; a mostly solid 2025 included 1m2f Listed wins in May and November; 2026 started in downbeat fashion (similar to last year) in Listed race and his top three ratings have been registered on softer than good; this is also a new trip (unraced beyond an extended 1m2f) but he's bred to get it and has a chance on best form; ground the chief worry.

10/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 44111-

Last run: 470 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Progressive but badly lacks recent match practice, having been absent since winning a handicap on the other course here (1m2f, good) in June 2023; gelded subsequently; market instructive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(10)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Newmarket

Peace Man

9st 6lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Edged out by Bolster in this race on soft ground 12 months ago; below that level in three outings this year, although he might have needed it after a break when behind Bolster and Okeechobee at Goodwood latest; first-time cheekpieces go on.

14/1

5

(10)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Newmarket

Peace Man

9st 6lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Edged out by Bolster in this race on soft ground 12 months ago; below that level in three outings this year, although he might have needed it after a break when behind Bolster and Okeechobee at Goodwood latest; first-time cheekpieces go on.

14/1

8th

6

(5)

24th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Peace Man

9st 4lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Below par in last three appearances, latest over C&D four months ago; progressive previously and ties in closely with Bolster on Newmarket Listed running (1m2f, soft) last November; possibilities if back to that form.

10/1

Form: 4-0237 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Contrasting results back in US the last twice, running well in the Arlington Million then disappointingly when bidding for a second win in the Mint Millions Stakes; had wind surgery since and may rebound.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

(3)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Newmarket (July)

Ancient Rome

10st 0lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Charles Hills

He's fully 7lb lower than when a close third at Sandown (1m2f, good to firm) last July but was soundly beaten on his final three outings last season and it's been the same story on his two starts this term.

33/1

7th

3

(8)

25th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 2

15:47 Newcastle (AW)

Ancient Rome

9st 1lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Charles Hills

Often held up in rear, so he saw very little daylight when 50-1 off career-low mark in the Spring Cup at Newbury in April; dropped another 2lb since but he last won in September 2023 and failed to make an impact in all but one of his races in 2025, so does not look the percentage call.

12/1

12/1

Form: 24-309 C

Last run: 178 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Won the Dante and runner-up in US Grade 1 last season; failed to beat a rival in last two appearances, latest over C&D in April; difficult to support unless the market suggests a revival is on the cards.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(1)

9th May 2025

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 1

14:35 Chester

The Foxes

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

led, headed and prominent after 1f, ridden and edged right over 1f out, led final 110yds, won going away

11/8

1st

7

(1)

9th May 2025

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 1

14:35 Chester

The Foxes

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

led, headed and prominent after 1f, ridden and edged right over 1f out, led final 110yds, won going away

11/8

8

(10)

16th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 1

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

The Foxes

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Won the Dante at 3; wasn't far off his best when third in 1m3f Southwell conditions race in February (AW debut) but comfortably held in Group races on turf since, albeit he might have needed his latest run at Newmarket after six months off.

15/2

20/1

Form: -42567

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Best effort this term when second in a Sandown Listed event that he'd won 12 months earlier; regressive results since and needs a major turnaround; others are readily preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(9)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 70y

Class 3

15:23 Chester

Savvy Victory

9st 10lb

J: Sam James

T: S Woods

Placed on both starts here and he continues to slide down the weights, but was beaten 17l into seventh of eight at Pontefract (1m2f, good) last time and will need to do a good deal better than that; no headgear today.

14/1

7th

3

(11)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 5y

Class 2

15:27 Pontefract

Savvy Victory

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: S Woods

His form deteriorated last year and he went 0-9; however, he's dropped down the weights and could improve for his recent comeback in a Listed race at Kempton (fourth); this C&D winner is not ruled out.

15/2

12/1

Form: 41-410 D

Last run: 196 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Highly productive spell featured valuable Group 2 wins in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia; absent since finishing lame in Meydan Group 1 in March; the betting may prove best guide on return to action.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(4)

12th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

1m 1f 0y

Class 1

13:15 Newmarket

Spirit Dancer

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Highly productive spell featured valuable Group 2 wins in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia; absent since finishing lame in Meydan Group 1 in March; the betting may prove best guide on return to action.

12/1

Form: 263143 C

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Has form on all types of ground; bagged Listed honours at Sandown (1m2f) in July and has posted a couple of respectable Group 3 efforts since; frame possibilities on the figures.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(1)

25th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 2

15:47 Newcastle (AW)

Al Mubhir

9st 1lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Well treated on his Listed win at Sandown in July 2024 but he drew a blank during his 2025 Australian campaign and has been well held in both runs (1m, good to firm/good) for new yard this season; still unexposed on AW but he needs to raise his game back in this sphere.

20/1

5th

3

(4)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 68y

Class 2

15:51 Hamilton

Al Mubhir

9st 11lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Listed win at Sandown in July 2024 and well treated on that form; however, he drew a blank during his 2025 Australian campaign and was soundly beaten on last month's stable debut in the Thirsk Hunt Cup; something to prove.

16/1

10th

2

(5)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:40 Thirsk

Al Mubhir

9st 11lb

J: Shane Gray

T: Kevin Ryan

Smart at his best for William Haggas, winning a Listed race at Sandown (1m2f, good) in July 2024; campaigned solely in Australia in 2025 and well beaten on his last two starts; potentially well handicapped back in Britain for a new yard after wind surgery, but he carries obvious risks.

16/1

Non-runners

Skellet

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.50
Straight Forecast £6.53
Tricast £52.17
Trifecta £58.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Liberty Lane

The Times:

Lead Artist

The Guardian:

Ancient Rome

Telegraph:

Lead Artist

Daily Mirror:

Lead Artist

The Sun:

Lead Artist

RP RATINGS:

Liberty Lane

TOPSPEED:

Liberty Lane

POSTDATA:

Liberty Lane

Daily Mail:

Liberty Lane

The Star:

Liberty Lane

Daily Record:

Liberty Lane

D Express:

Ancient Rome