Master digs deep in epic duel

AIDAN O’Brien likened Mastercraftsman to Giant’s Causeway as the devilishly tough colt wrestled the St James’s Palace Stakes from the clutches of Delegator yesterday.

Giant’s Causeway provided O’Brien with the first of six victories in the three-year-old Royal Ascot showpiece back in 2000 and his nickname of the ’Iron Horse’ was not undeserved.

With four Group Ones now in the locker, including the Irish 2000 Guineas, Mastercraftsman is well up on the former hero at this early stage of his career but will need to shine in the all-aged heats later in the summer.