Oxx lines up two but Battle is out

John Oxx is likely to be two-handed when final declarations are made tomorrow morning for Saturday evening's Group 1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh. Oxx, of course on the role of honour in the mile and a half showpiece courtesy of Sinndar and Alamshar this century, ruled Call To Battle out of contention for this year's renewal, early today.

He said: "Call To Battle has quite a nasty foot abscess which he picked up yesterday and that's obviously ruled him out for the weekend. Unfortunately it's just one of those things."

The Master of Currabeg outlined running plans for the yard now when saying: "Akeed Mofeed and Born To Sea – I have to talk to his owner today to make a final decision – are likely runners.

"Akeed Mofeed did a light bit of work on the nine furlong round all-weather gallop at the Curragh this morning.

"Next Tuesday twelve weeks ago he took his first lame step and he was off for seventeen days. Then on the Tuesday before the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial he pulled a muscle and was off for three weeks.

"It's not been a great preparation and he's had a tough regime to get him ready. Not many horses would stick it but he's taken the work well.

"He did a hard bit of work yesterday but let's just say that if he was a football player you'd like to bring him on at halftime. I don't think the Curragh will let us drop him in at halfway though!

"We've always liked him and I just hope he's fit enough to run a good race. I'll be disappointed if he doesn't prove to be a good one.

"I've never run a horse first time out (seasonal debut) in the Derby.

"It's an unusual situation but probably the worst thing that could happen is that he'll get tired and I hope to learn (more about the horse) from it.

"He has a lovely temperament, he's like a hack, you could do anything with him. That temperament has helped him take what has been a tough work schedule."

Meanwhile on Born To Sea Oxx remarked: "He is going from strength to strength. All the rain (five millimetres last night and more to come) is a bit of a worry and I'd like to see him on a bit of fast ground.

"He's got his brother's (Sea The Stars) constitution; he eats everything and doesn't worry – he is thriving from race to race and putting on weight.

"He's quite settled now. I thought he could take another race and the opportunity is there to try him at the trip. He'd definitely like a mile and quarter but going from a mile to a mile and a half in one swoop is a bit risky.

"In the circumstances though you have to take a chance.

"The ground is going to be on the soft side and it won't be ideal for anyone." (AM & EM)