Ballydoyle stable jockey, Johnny Murtagh, is confident that it is not set in stone that Sea The Stars will pick up his fourth Group 1 of the season when he takes him on with his mount Mastercraftsman in the Juddmonte International at York on Tuesday.

Murtagh is confident that his Irish 2000 Guineas and St James’ Palace Stakes winning ride has improved since his run at Royal Ascot, and he is looking forward to taking on the dual-Classic winning hero for the second time.

On the first occasion they met, Aidan O’Brien’s multiple Group 1 winner could finish only as close as fifth to John Oxx’s superstar in the 2000 Guineas back in May, before both of them moved onto greater things.

Versatile ground wise, as shown at the Curragh this year, Mastercraftsman will be ready for his rematch and his jockey said: "I'm really looking forward to it and it's going to be a great race. My horse is a really solid horse, the ground doesn't matter to him and nothing seems to bother him.

"He's had a break since Ascot and I think he's come on since then, so it should be a great race. It's his first try at the trip and you never can be sure what's going to happen, but he's very straightforward ride. We're very happy with him."

The small but select field for the Group One was reduced by one with the defection of Tartan Bearer on Monday night.

Sea The Stars remains a 1/3 shot with Paddy Power, and more money is expected to come for him before he tackles the Group 1.