Sea The Stars stamped his class on the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown Park with a thrilling success.

Mick Kinane committed for home with two furlongs to travel on the 2000 Guineas and Derby winner, and he was chased into the closing stages by his old adversary Rip Van Winkle.

The Ballydoyle challenger put in a determined bid for glory, but Sea The Stars was always pulling out more and won the Group One prize by a length.

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.