Racing:Kieren Fallon believes Rip Van Winkle is the only real threat to the brilliant Sea The Stars, even though Aidan O'Brien's colt has been beaten by the John Oxx's colt three times - finishing second best in the 2000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby and the Eclipse.
But Ballydoyle stable jockey Johnny Murtagh has always had a high opinion of him, and he proved his undoubted star quality by winning the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
Fallon, preparing to return to the saddle next month, is convinced he is the one horse who could trouble Oxx's stable star this season.
In his Racing Post Weekender column, he said: "From a jockeys' point of view I believe he hasn't been severely tested yet. I know Johnny feels he would have ridden Rip Van Winkle differently if the Guineas was run again.
"Aidan O'Brien's colt has finished behind Sea The Stars on three occasions this season, but I believe he is the only one who could lower the colours of John Oxx's star."
If Rip Van Winkle does get another shot at his nemesis, Fallon has no doubt about what tactics Murtagh should employ.
"I would strike for home first. Look how positive Johnny was in the Sussex, when we saw the real Rip Van Winkle. I would have kicked before Mick did. Sea The Stars has proved that when he gets first run, nothing can catch him, but we haven't seen him put under pressure."
Sea The stars of course returns to the track on Tuesday for the eagerly-awaited Juddmonte International at York.
This time O'Brien and Murtagh rely on Mastercraftsman - winner of the Irish 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes - as they try once again to dethrone him.
But he was well beaten by Sea The Stars in the 2000 Guineas and Fallon says: "Although Aidan iis a master at improving horses, so is Oxx and I can't see the tables being turned."