JOHN OXX is still not certain to let Sea The Stars take his chance in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh.

The Cape Cross colt became the first horse since Nashwan in 1989 to win both the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Derby, when he scored at Epsom earlier this month.

Oxx’s star is among 17 entries for the Irish equivalent, but the trainer insisted he would not risk the dual Classic hero in soft conditions.

Sea The Stars is 4-5 favourite with Coral and Boylesports for Sunday’s Classic. And Oxx said: “He worked this morning and everything went well. He came out of Epsom in great form and thankfully we have had no hold-ups since then.

“I walked the track on Saturday and again this morning and there is still plenty of moisture in the ground so it wouldn’t take a lot of rain to change it against us. The weather is very warm but it’s also very humid and there is not much wind so the course is not drying very quickly. Today it would have been borderline as I thought the straight was on the slow side – maybe we would have been a little bit concerned.

“We had an awful lot of rain last Tuesday night into Wednesday morning and it is just taking time to dry out.

“We’ll make a decision whether to declare him and even then we would have to watch the weather. There is no rush to decide and we could even make a final decision on the day.”

Oxx also has Mourayan entered and he added: “He’ll probably take his chance regardless and he will probably like a bit of ease in the ground.”

In opposition are Epsom runner-up Fame And Glory, third home Masterofthehorse and fifth-placed Golden Sword, just three of the 10 possibles trained by Aidan O’Brien. Byzantine, Drumbeat, Freemantle, Hail Caesar, Malibu Bay, Rockhampton and Set Sail complete the Ballydoyle team.

TODAY’S NAP: Stevie Gee (3.35pm Carlisle).