'He's top class' - Shane Crosse relishing massive Marois test for State Of Rest

Shane Crosse says globetrotting star State Of Rest has the pace to prove a potent force dropped back to a mile in Sunday's Prix Jacques le Marois, where top-notch three-year-olds Coroebus and Maljoom could lie in wait.

State Of Rest's biggest victories have come over further but Crosse, on board for their Prince of Wales's Stakes success at Royal Ascot, believes the shorter Deauville test will prove no problem to the Starspangledbanner colt, who had the pace to win a Fairyhouse maiden over 6f at two.

Trainer Joseph O'Brien has been ambitious in his campaigning of the four-year-old with four top-level wins in four countries across three continents, and dropping in distance against younger rivals is another bold move.