Third again for First Conquest in G3 Darley Stakes

First Conquest finished third in G3 company at Newmarket for a second time this season as he chased home Damysus and Gladius in the Too Darn Hot Darley Stakes on Saturday, 11 October.

The Charlie Appleby-trained four-year-old, who had filled the same spot in the Earl Of Sefton Stakes at the Craven meeting, was held up in a clear fifth of the six runners for the majority of the nine-furlong contest.

Switched towards the centre of the course by William Buick three furlongs out, First Conquest stayed on as Gladius and Damysus took up the running from the pace-setting Mister Rizz over a furlong from home.

First Conquest took third soon after and stuck to his task behind the leading duo, seeing off the late rally of Liberty Lane to go down by a length and three-quarters in total.

Charlie Appleby said: “It was another decent effort from First Conquest and we will look at taking him back to Dubai for the winter now.”