Sea The Stars heads Eclipse Stakes field

2,000 Guineas and Epsom Derby winner, Sea The Stars, is expected to return to the turf on Saturday to take part in the 2009 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Racecourse.

The Derby winner swerved last weekend’s Irish Derby after trainer John Oxx had deemed the ground at the Curragh to be too yielding for his charge. Epsom Derby rival, Fame and Glory, went on triumph in his absence.

Oxx then nominated Sea The Stars to run in the 1 mile 4 furlong race at Sandown, where he heads a field of 14 possible entries for the open-age group one race.

The strongest opposition to Sea The Stars in the Eclipse Stakes is likely to come from Sir Michael Stoute’s St Leger winner, Conduit. Conduit had a brilliant season in 2008, landing Stoute his first ever St. Leger before storming to victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Mike De Kock’s Archipenko could also be an intriguing prospect in the race, as he will come into the 2009 Eclipse Stakes on the back of a group one victory at Sha Tin.