Sea The Stars: Investec Derby winner is being aimed at Sandown

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker / racingpostpix.com  

Sea The Stars heads 14 Eclipse forfeits

SEA THE STARS heads the 14 forfeits for Saturday's Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.

The Stanjames.com 2,000 Guineas and Investec Derby winner was taken out of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on Sunday owing to unsuitably testing ground.

Coral make Sea The Stars their 11-10 favourite, although his participation hinges on the ground, as there is rain forecast in the Sandown area later in the week.

Among his possible rivals on Saturday include Cima De Triopmhe and Conduit, who finished first and second respectively over course and distance in the Blue Square Brigadier Gerard Stakes in May.

Aidan O'Brien, successful with Fame And Glory in the Irish Derby at the Curragh on Sunday, has left four in the race, headed by Derby fourth Rip Van Winkle. Malibu Bay, Set Sail and Westphalia complete the trainer's team.

Other notable entries include Summer Mile Stakes winner Archipenko and the Henry Cecil-trained Twice Over.

As revealed in Monday's Racing Post, Crowded House does not feature among the five-day entries.

Archipenko's camp are under no illusion about the task their horse faces.

The widely travelled five-year-old did not get the clearest of passages on his latest outing, when trying to retain his QEII Cup title in Hong Kong during April. He finished a close sixth behind Presvis.

Juan Nel, who is overseeing the Newmarket arm of the South African trainer's operation, said: "He's doing well and his preparation so far has been as much as we could ask of him.

"He's ready to take his chance but it's quite a strong field with the likes of Conduit and Sea The Stars - it's probably his toughest challenge to date."

Nel expects Kevin Shea to be on board at the weekend.