Oxx: Ground must improve for Stars Connections of Sea The Stars are banking on the forecast improvement in conditions to allow the brilliant colt to take his chance in the Tattersalls Million Irish Champion Stakes. Already winner of four Group One races this season, the John Oxx-trained ace was among a field of nine declared for the Leopardstown showpiece on Saturday. However, heavy rain that hit the Dublin track on Wednesday has threatened his participation. The ground at Leopardstown has been changed to yielding to soft, soft in places after 22 millimetres of rainfall. Although the forecast is promising, Oxx has consistently warned that the imperious colt will not run if the ground is too testing. In a statement issued from his Currabeg stables on Thursday morning, Oxx said: "I have declared Sea The Stars to run, even though the going at the moment is too soft for him. "He would not race today or tomorrow but, given the forecast for good drying conditions between now and race time, I have no option but to leave him in the race to give him every opportunity to run - should conditions improve significantly. "If there are further heavy showers in the meantime they will ruin all chance of him racing. "But if the showers avoid Leopardstown, we will delay a final decision until midday on Saturday." Five of the declared runners are trained by Aidan O'Brien, who has so often come off second best against Oxx's superstar. Irish Derby winner Fame And Glory is thought to be his first choice, but the Ballydoyle handler has surprisingly declared Irish Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes scorer Mastercraftsman. Grand Ducal, Set Sail and Rockhampton are the other Coolmore runners. Dermot Weld's Casual Conquest, Charles O'Brien's Lord Admiral and the Tracey Collins-trained Loch Long complete the list.
