Stars Shines Brightly In Beresford

Sea The Stars (7-4) came out on top in a closely-fought renewal of the Juddmonte Beresford Stakes at the Curragh.

Trainer John Oxx, who won this race in 2002 and 2003 with the brilliant pair Alamshar and Azamour, also saddled another leading contender in Mourayan.

But jockey Mick Kinane picked the right one and exuded confidence aboard Sea The Stars.

The half-brother to Galileo took a little while to assert himself once hitting the front, but was in command in the final furlong and had half a length in reserve of Mourayan for a stable one-two.

Bookmakers had mixed reactions on the winner for next year’s Derby. He is 12-1 from 20s with Paddy Power, now 14-1 with William Hill – but only 20s with VC Bet.

Oxx said: “The ground is probably a bit dead for him and we are still not quite sure what his trip is – despite the fact he is a half-brother to Galileo and out of an Arc winner.

“The spring will tell us more, but he will have a Guineas entry.”