John Oxx has raised the first serious question mark over the participation of Sea The Stars in Tuesday’s Juddmonte International on the first day of York’s Ebor meeting.

The dual-Classic winning son of Cape Cross is set to run in the 10-furlong heat, however John Oxx is hugely unimpressed with the weather that awaits York.

"William Derby (clerk of the course) has been keeping me fully informed about the ground and I have all the weather forecasts in front of me," said Oxx.

"If all of the rain that is forecast arrives then it will be soft on Sunday in my opinion.

"There is a big question mark about Tuesday and I hope that all of the forecast rain doesn't arrive. The rain could miss York, but if it doesn't then we will have a tricky decision on Sunday morning.

"By then most of the rain may have come but I feel it will be an unclear situation. The forecast looks quite good for Monday and Tuesday, but trainers do not like these 'will I/won't I' decisions.

"There is a possibility we will have to declare him if the ground is uncertain, but if it is very soft then he won't be declared. He needs to have it good or faster if he is to run to his rating in the 130s, which is what people want to see.

"He needs good, fast ground and not good, slow ground as he really does feel the difference."

If Sea The Stars is forced to sit out of his York task, then the Irish Champion Stakes will be next for the brilliant colt, but the Arc is also on the agenda - once again ground permitting.

"The Arc is very much in mind and my only reservation over not running him (at Longchamp) is that the ground is unlikely to suit," Oxx continued.

"It is a tough regime and most horses that run in the Arc will not have run in the International and Irish Champion Stakes beforehand.

"If all goes well and the ground is dry then I think he will run in the Arc, and I would imagine that the owner will be keen to run as they won it with Sea The Stars' dam (Urban Sea).

"It is highly unlikely that he will race next year, but if the weather makes a mess of plans then we will have to think about it.

"The Breeders' Cup is a possibility and we have to think about it with the surface out there. If the horse is still fresh and well in November then we will have to think about it as it the trip and track will suit.

"I am boring when it comes to Sea The Stars' plans but you just don't know what will happen with the weather."
 
Sea The Stars is 2/5 with Sky Bet to take his Group 1 winning tally to four this season in the International Stakes at York on Tuesday.
 
Appreciating the problems with the weather, Matt Doyle of Sky Bet said: ‘The weather holds the key to the whole shape of the race and John Oxx is clear in his intent not to risk Sea The Stars if there is any soft in the going description.’
 
Mastercraftsman, a winner of the Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James’ Palace Stakes, is a 9/4 second favourite with Sky Bet to be the main beneficiary from three Ballydoyle entries if the brilliant dual classic winner misses the race.