13:15 Newmarket

Saturday 12 October 2024

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:4016:1516:50

Space Blues Darley Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 1m 52.40s

(3)

Al Mubhir^t³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 110| C

9/1

Consistent type who made the breakthrough at listed level at Sandown (10f) in July. Similar form when finishing close-up in pair of Group 3's subsequently, latterly when third at Maisons-Laffitte (10f) 5 weeks ago and he looks sure to give another good account.

Form: 263143

(9)

Ancient Rome³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: J P Spencer| T: C Hills| OR: 122| DWS

9/1

Smart horse who matched the form of his Summer Mile second at Ascot, when third in Grade 1 Arlington Million on his penultimate outing in August. Underperformed on latest start at Kentucky Downs (1m) 5 weeks ago but undergone wind surgery ahead of this. Type to bounce back.

Form: 14-0237

(5)

Liberty Lane¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 113| CD

5/4

Bounced back to his best when runner-up at Doncaster (10.2f) 2 starts ago and put up one of the handicap performances of the season when a very good winner of last month's Cambridgeshire over C&D. Well worth his place at this level on that evidence and he's shortlisted up in class.

Form: 017021

(7)

Peace Man⁴⁷⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 102

20/1

Son of Kingman who won 10f maiden/handicaps at Windsor in May and progressed further when readily bringing up the hat-trick over the same trip on the July Course a month later. Absent/gelded ahead of return and he remains with a good deal of potential for his leading yard.

Form: 44111-

(1)

Savvy Victory¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Rossa Ryan| T: S Woods| OR: 105

40/1

Listed scorer last season who kicked off the campaign with pair of in-the-frame efforts at Ascot/Sandown. However, he's been hard to place since and arrives here on the back of a disappointing run at Goodwood (9.9f, heavy) 17 days ago. Plenty on his plate back at this level.

Form: 7-42567

(4)

Spirit Dancer¹⁹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 118| D

20/1

A real money-spinner for connections, adding another valuable success in the Middle East in Group 2 at Saudi Arabia in February. Final start at Meydan in March easily overlooked (returned lame) and whilst this run may be needed, he did finish fourth in this race 12 months ago.

Form: 141-410

(8)

The Foxes¹⁷⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 111| C

10/1

Group 2 winner at 2 yrs who added the Dante at York to his C.V last season. Creditable effort when third in Southwell conditions' event in January but not at best both starts thereafter, latterly when last of 9 in C&D Earl of Sefton in April. Absent since.

Form: 524-309

(6)

Lead Artist²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: K Shoemark| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 112| BF

3/1

Progressive colt who took the next step in his development when overcoming a pace bias to land a 1m Group 3 at Glorious Goodwood in August, with Task Force and Dancing Gemini behind in third and fifth. Bumped into Kinross in a 7f Doncaster Group 2 since and he's of interest back up in trip.

Form: 21312

Non-Runners

(2)

Skellet²⁴

Weight: 8-12| Age: 3

T: R M Beckett J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Liberty Lane (5/4), Lead Artist (3/1), Skellet (7/1), Ancient Rome (9/1), Al Mubhir (9/1), The Foxes (10/1), Peace Man (20/1), Spirit Dancer (20/1), Savvy Victory (40/1)

LIBERTY LANE posted one of the handicap performances of the season when landing a second C&D success in the Cambridgeshire a fortnight ago, travelling smoothly and quickening clear impressively. He's given the nod now his sights are raised in the hope this doesn't come too quickly for him. Lead Artist is the obvious danger following his excellent second behind Kinross at Doncaster. Ancient Rome and Al Mubhir complete the shortlist in the opener.