The tantalising prospect of a mammoth clash between Sea The Stars, Mastercraftsman and Tartan Bearer looks to be firmly on the cards, as John Oxx admitted that he was “delighted” with drying conditions at York and the forecast of decent weather in the run-up to Tuesday's Juddmonte International Stakes.
The prospect of taking on the dual-Classic winner has scared off many opponents and there will be a maximum of five horses running in the race, with two being Ballydoyle pacemakers.
After learning about the opposition to his stable star, Oxx explained: "The rain didn't arrive and in that respect everything's looked favourable since Friday. I knew that the weather pattern had changed for the better and we're now all set to go."
On the question of the race becoming more tactical than anything Sea The Stars has yet experienced, Oxx added: "I don't know what Aidan is thinking in terms of how the race will be run, but the presence of pacemakers in the field is what I expected.
"We shall assess the situation regarding our own tactics nearer the time, but ultimately it will be down to Mick (Kinane). If they make it a fast pace they will hardly be ignored, but then again they might well go a slow pace. Who knows?"
William Derby, clerk of the course is happy with conditions on the Knavesmire and the forecast for the next 48 hours: "The latest forecast we have got is for it to remain dry for the rest of today, it's a cloudy day, about 19 degrees.
"There is a possibility of showers coming down from Scotland tonight, about two millimetres it looks like, with it clearing at dawn on Monday morning which should be a bright day with sunny spells with it being dry into Tuesday itself.
"We're not going to water today, we don't need to, it's bob-on at the moment and we'll monitor today and see if we get any precipitation tonight and look at it again on Monday.
"If we need to we can and will water but if we don't we won't.
"We want to keep conditions as they are at the moment, we are very happy with the racing surface at the moment."
Juddmonte International Stakes: Market (Paddy Power)
Sea The Stars 1/2
Mastercraftsman 9/4
Tartan Bearer 8/1
Georgebernardshaw 150/1
Set Sail 200/1
