SEA THE STARS WILL ECLIPSE RIVALS
Trainer John Oxx ducks his winner out of Irish Derby
JOHN OXX will duck today's Irish Derby with Sea The Stars because of softening ground at the Curragh.
It all means the Derby winner will return in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown next Saturday.
The Eclipse sees the classic three-year-olds meeting older horses for the first time.
But the drop back to 10 furlongs from a mile and a half will play massively to Sea The Stars' strengths.
He is loaded with speed and travelled well when winning the Two Thousand Guineas over a mile.
And, while he got the Derby trip fine, Oxx has always felt 10 furlongs would be his optimum trip.
Usually I don't like backing horses forced into late changes of target.
But the Eclipse comes just six days after the Curragh and Sea The Stars is blessed with the most laid-back temperament.
Jockey Mick Kinane said: "When I walk him out to work on the Curragh, he looks around and counts every sheep.
"What's more, he could tell you if one was missing."
Banned
Elsewhere, it is looking likely that jumps figurehead Nicky Henderson will face a ban after being found guilty of administering a banned substance to the Queen's Moonlit Path in February.
The British Horseracing Authority now faces a tricky 'damned if they do, damned if they don't' scenario.
They can fine Henderson up to £12,000 but, if they do not impose any sort of ban, the BHA will no doubt be accused of being soft.
It is a sad state of affairs, not least because Nicky enjoys a justified reputation for running an honest ship - and is popular with the public for just that reason.
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