Racing:John Oxx is refusing to take anything for granted as brilliant colt Sea The Stars bids for a fourth successive Group One triumph in the Juddmonte International at York on Tuesday.
The son of Cape Cross can already be regarded as a true great, having become the first horse in 20 years to win the 2000 Guineas and the Derby. He then proved himself against the older brigade when treating with contempt a high-class field in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.
With King George runner-up Tartan Bearer an 11th-hour casualty after having been found to be lame, Sea The Stars will face just three rivals, all of whom are trained by Aidan O'Brien.
Irish 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes scorer Mastercraftsman is the only conceivable danger to the 1-3 market leader, with Ballydoyle's stable companions Georgebernardshaw and Set Sail as big as 200-1.
But Oxx has been involved in racing far too long to believe the outcome is a mere formality.
"Everything has been fine with the horse, and his work has been good," said the Currabeg handler.
"I don't think they have had any significant rain at the track on Monday, which is good news, so we'll just have to wait and see what happens now.
"There aren't many runners, which is a very disappointing thing for everyone, but we can do nothing about that.
"Mastercraftsman is a good horse and looks like he will enjoy this step up in distance. The mile and a quarter should suit him and that could help him step up a bit more.
"He's a good, tough competitor and you have to respect him.
"The track should suit our horse fine as it's a nice, straightforward course and it suits a horse with speed as well.
"I've never actually had a runner in this race before and obviously it would be nice if all goes well.
"But it's another race and another day and nothing ever stays the same.
"It's a great race with a great bit of history to it, but there are always problems to overcome, so we just have to hope for the best.
"There is an element of relief when each race is over, but any trainer would be tremendously excited about training a horse like Sea The Stars as they are what you dream about all your life.
"He is unusual in the amount of speed he has and there is no worry about the distance he runs over.
"To win a Guineas, Derby and Eclipse in the space of eight weeks is something not many horses can do."
Big-race jockey Mick Kinane, who only recently celebrated his 50th birthday, added: "Sea The Stars didn't surprise me in the Eclipse, he did it really well and the race is working out well.
"He has always done everything we have ever asked of him. He has everything, pace, speed, stamina, temperament.
"Nothing fazes him."
Johnny Murtagh is the man charged with trying to topple Sea The Stars for the first time this season, and feels he has genuine claims with Mastercraftsman.
"I'm really looking forward to it and it's going to be a great race," said the rider. "My horse is a really solid horse - the ground doesn't matter to him and nothing seems to bother him.”