Archipenko to tackle Sea the Stars in Eclipse

ARCHIPENKO (Kingmambo) is set to put it up to SEA THE STARS (Cape Cross

[Ire]) and CONDUIT (Ire) (Dalakhani) in Saturday's Eclipse S. (Eng-G1) at

Sandown, for which a total of 14 horses were declared at the five-day stage on

Monday. Last year's Queen Elizabeth II Cup (HK-G1) winner and Arlington Million

(G1) runner-up will be racing in Europe for the first time since his win in the

Summer Mile (Eng-G2) at Ascot last July.

"He's doing well and his preparation so far has been as much as we could ask

of him," trainer Mike de Kock's representative Juan Nel told PA Sport Monday.

"He's ready to take his chance, but it's quite a strong field with the likes of

Conduit and Sea the Stars -- it's probably his toughest challenge to date."

John Oxx committed to running Sea the Stars, the Two Thousand Guineas

(Eng-G1) and Epsom Derby (Eng-G1) hero, in the 10-furlong contest following the

heavy rain that hit the Curragh ahead of Sunday's Irish Derby (Ire-G1), and he

could meet St Leger (Eng-G1) and Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) winner Conduit. He may

be joined by LANG SHINING (Dr Fong), who would be used for pace-setting duties

by Sir Michael Stoute.

If allowed to take his chance, Conduit will be renewing rivalry with CIMA DE

TRIOMPHE (Galileo [Ire]), who beat him by a nose when in receipt of seven pounds

in the Brigadier Gerard S. (Eng-G3) over the course and distance on May 28.

Aidan O'Brien has four to choose from, including RIP VAN WINKLE (Galileo

[Ire]) and the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (Fr-G1) and Prix du Jockey-Club

(Fr-G1) third WESTPHALIA (Ire) (Danehill Dancer), while Henry Cecil has left in

Lockinge S. (Eng-G1) third TWICE OVER (Observatory).