John Oxx bullish as Sea The Stars backed for Eclipse glory

Sponsors of the Coral-Eclipse have cut the odds of dual Classic winner Sea The Stars after John Oxx said he was confident his colt can succeed where Motivator and Authorized failed.

Both were impressive winners of the Epsom Derby but were unable to land prohibitive odds in the Group 1 Sandown contest on their next assignments.

But following his Derby romp, Irish trainer Oxx hopes the same fate does not await Sea The Stars, who was cut to 4-5 from 10-11 with Coral. He said: "Motivator and Authorized were both sons of Montjeu coming down in distance, they didn't contest the Guineas - they were both coming down in trip trying to prove a point.

"This fellow is different, he's a Guineas winner. They both ran very well, they just didn't win."

Having raced just five times in his career, this is Sea The Stars's first attempt at 10 furlongs and Oxx believes it will suit the Cape Cross colt. "It should be a good distance for him," he added.

"We'll try him at this and see how he goes. It's nice to win the top races over a variety of distances - he's already won them over a mile and a mile and a half.

Sea The Stars was pulled out of last Sunday's Irish Derby because of soft ground, but Oxx does not believe the going will be a factor this time.

"At the moment it's very hot and they could get a thundery shower. We'll monitor it, but it's not the same situation as last week as there's not a lot of moisture in the ground to begin with - the Curragh ground was always likely to change quickly."