Racing: Sea The Stars confirmed his superiority with another stunning performance in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown. Having already won the 2000 Guineas and the Derby, John Oxx's colt was sent off the 4-7 favourite to land a third Group One.
Despite Rip Van Winkle attacking throughout the final furlong, Sea The Stars found more for pressure to run out an impressive one-length winner.
Sea The Stars was attempting to emulate Nashwan, who was the last Derby winner to gain a victory in the Eclipse against older horses back in 1989.
Settled way off a furious early gallop set by Lang Shining and Set Sail, Kinane was always travelling beautifully.
Jimmy Fortune, deputising for the suspended Johnny Murtagh, tracked the Cape Cross colt on Rip Van Winkle with Ryan Moore content to sit last of the 10 runners on Conduit.
The race began in earnest turning into the straight with Conduit launching his bid down the outside, although he struggled to get on terms with Sea The Stars and Rip Van Winkle.
The two younger horses pulled four and a half lengths clear of last year’s St Leger winner but it was Sea The Stars who came out on top, as he has done on the two previous occasions he has met the Aidan O’Brien-trained runner.