John Oxx has high hopes of a return to Classic glory with Skitter Scatter

John Oxx is hoping new arrival and Group 1-winner Skitter Scatter can prove the antidote to the trainer's frustrating sequence of seasons.

Ten years on from the brilliant three-year-old campaign of Sea The Stars, Oxx believes the Molyglare Stud Stakes winner has the potential to be a Classic winner and is taking aim at the Qipco 1,000 Guineas.

A 14-1 shot for the Newmarket Classic, Skitter Scatter made the short journey to Oxx’s yard following Patrick Prendergast's decision not to renew his licence and instead to team up with Oxx as an assistant.

Oxx’s recent dip in fortunes have been well publicised – he trained only nine winners last season, his lowest tally since 1988 – but with approximately 80 horses under his care, 30 of whom moved from Prendergast, the trainer's spirits are high on the eve of the Flat season, which begins at Naas on Sunday.

John Oxx and Mick Kinane after the Arc success of Sea The StarsCredit: Edward Whitaker

Speaking on Wednesday, Oxx said: "We’re delighted to have Skitter Scatter to train this year. She kept improving last year, winning a Group 3, a Group 2 and then the Moyglare which she won well after looking beaten at one stage in the soft ground.

"She's a sweet filly, not a big one, but Patrick says she has grown a bit since last year. She has a very good temperament and we haven’t pressed her on the gallops yet. But she’s easy enough to get fit and will go straight to Newmarket.

"Obviously there's a concern that other, bigger fillies might improve past her but she has a big heart and that could take her a long way.

"Although she has never raced beyond seven furlongs, the indications are that she should get a mile. I wouldn't really expect her to get further."

Ronan Whelan rode Skitter Scatter in all seven starts of her two-year-old season and will retain the ride on the daughter of Scat Daddy. Oxx also confirmed Colm O'Donoghue, Niall McCullagh and Ross Coakley will also ride for the yard.

Patrick Prendergast: has joined John Oxx as an assistantCredit: Alain Barr (racingpost.com/photos)

Reflecting on a lean spell that has seen over nine years pass since his last Group 1 winner, Oxx said: "It's been very frustrating, especially the last five or six years. But I've always been philosophical and believe that if you keep your head down and battle away, the tide will turn.

"This time of year is always exciting, wondering what the season might bring. Skitter Scatter is certainly a welcome addition and we have some other three-year-olds, some of them unraced, who look reasonably promising.

On the younger generation of horses in his yard, Oxx added: "We have some nice two-year-olds, including a few more precocious ones than we usually have. We have 15 from Godolphin including some sharp types."

Oxx has made two entries at Naas on Sunday, with three-year-old fillies Ho Ho Bird, who ran twice for Prendergast last season, and the unraced Rue De Russie both set to take their seasonal bows.

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