Charlie Appleby on the board as impressive Space Blues powers home in Foret

Charlie Appleby predicted a war of attrition on desperate ground in the Prix de la Foret but victory proved far smoother for Space Blues, who powered through the mud to record his fifth Group success.

Godolphin's five-year-old missed the last two runnings of the Foret due to setbacks but made up for lost time when stretching clear of the Paddy Twomey-trained Pearls Galore under William Buick.

It was a positive end to a mixed day for the trainer, who claimed third and fourth in the Arc with Hurricane Lane and Adayar, as well as second in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere with juvenile Noble Truth.

The meeting may not have belonged to Godolphin as expected, nor Appleby – who has now won seven Group 1 races in Europe this year and five Grade 1s in North America – but the trainer was all smiles as he collected the trophy with his daughter Edith.

"I'm delighted with this old boy – he's one of the yard favourites," said Appleby after his first victory in the Group 1. "Space Blues is a push-button ride and William rode him last week in an electric piece of work, the best he's ever done, so he was a worthy favourite."

Charlie Appleby at Longchamp on Arc day, when he saddled Space Blues to win the ForetCredit: Edward Whitaker

The seven-furlong specialist finished fourth in the Lennox Stakes on his seasonal reappearance before winning the City of York Stakes in August, after which he was put away before his big day at Longchamp.

"I've been trying to get him here for three years and unfortunately the poor old fella won his prep races and then met with setbacks," said Appleby. "We were always working back from the Foret and I was delighted with his fourth on soft ground at Goodwood as he came on for the run.

5.00 Longchamp Sunday: Prix de la Foret full result

"He put up one of his best performances in the City of York Stakes and we then decided to put him in bubble wrap. He was in the best form of his life after a break and William rode him with confidence.

"He kept punching away up the straight. He travels for fun and he's a class horse. I saw William filling him up and I knew it was only a matter of time before he pushed the button. He then put the race to bed smoothly and might have booked himself a ticket to Del Mar."

Appleby said Space Blues may not stay in training next season, but could be set for a swansong in next month's Breeders' Cup Mile.

Read more from Arc day:

Marcel Boussac: 'It's ugly but it's worthwhile' – Oisin Murphy savours Group 1 strike on Zellie

Lagardere: Angel Bleu could back up in Dewhurst after Group 1 strike for Frankie Dettori

Arc: Torquator Tasso stuns big-name rivals to spring shock success for Germany

Opera: 'The Breeders' Cup could be next' – Rougir denies Dettori in thriller

Abbaye: A Case Of You pounces late to give Ado McGuinness a first Group 1 victory

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