Make it Mastercraftsman
The Ballydoyle colt, Europe’s champion two-year-old last year, has been strongly supported this week, and looks set to start favourite to continue Aidan O’Brien’s tremendous record in this event, a race he has already won five times.
Winner of both the Phoenix and National Stakes at Group 1 level last season, Mastercraftsman ended his juvenile campaign with a below par effort in Longchamp.
But a combination of his impressive ‘Phoenix’ win and his courageous effort to short-head Shaweel, in heavy ground, in the ‘National’, augur well for his prospects today.
In the Stan James 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, the Danehill Dancer colt appeared to be tapped for toe at the bushes, but kept going well, despite encountering traffic problems, to finish a close fifth, less than two lengths behind Delegator, his chief danger today.
Aidan O’Brien’s string has hit top form since Newmarket and today’s heavy ground will suit the Ballydoyle colt more than Delegator, enough to earn the vote.
Delegator is undoubtedly a high-class colt, with an impressive burst of speed, which he showed to good effect when winning his Guineas ‘prep’ in the Craven Stakes.
Then, in the Guineas, he swept through with a similar, threatening move before being outpointed by the exciting Sea The Stars.
Stamina and ground conditions will probably hold the key to today’s race and, Mastercraftsman appears to have the edge on both counts, particularly in what is expected to be a fast-run race.
Soul City, winner of the ‘Million’ here last September chases a hefty bonus, but needs to improve to threaten the ‘big-two’.
Recharge, conqueror of Intense Focus in the Leopardstown 2,000 Guineas Trial, looks an exciting prospect, with a definite chance. But ground conditions are a major concern.
The John Oxx-trained Rayeni is likely to prove a bigger threat, although the form of his Group 3 win at Leopardstown last autumn is nothing spectacular. In the unbeaten Oxx colt’s favour is his proven ability to handle heavy ground and he should figure prominently. But Mastercraftsman is expected to extend Ballydoyle’s fine record in the classic.
Tomorrow’s Boylesports.com Irish 1,000 Guineas affords Jim Bolger’s Cuis Ghaire an excellent chance to build on her second to Ghinaati at Newmarket.
This Galileo filly disappointed in soft ground last year. But her overall form, the high regard in which she’s held by her trainer and her fine run at Newmarket sways me in her favour.
The maiden Super Sleuth, third at Newmarket and supplemented to this race last Tuesday, represents Brian Meehan and Frankie Dettori, with obvious claims.
Lahaleeb, closely matched with Super Sleuth on ‘Fred Darling’ form before flopping in the Guineas, should fare much better in tomorrow’s testing ground.
The David Wachman-trained Again, winner of the ‘Moyglare’ last year, by-passed the English Guineas because of fast ground but looks sure to start favourite tomorrow.
Proven in soft ground and progressive last year, Again is making her seasonal debut and is potentially top-class. But it might be more prudent to rely on Newmarket form.
In the weekend’s other Group 1 action, Famous Name might prove best in tomorrow’s Tattersalls Gold Cup.
Aidan O’Brien’s Air Chief Marshal, so impressive at Gowran Park, looks good in the T P Waters Marble Hill, despite dropping back to six furlongs.
