Master leads Palace party

Mastercraftsman, brilliant winner of the Irish 2000 Guineas, heads 13 confirmations for the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.

The Curragh Classic winner is one of five possibles from the Aidan O’Brien stable along with French Derby third Westphalia, Born To Be King, Malibu Bay and Set Sail.

A sixth Irish entry is Jim Bolger’s Intense Focus, winner of the Dewhurst Stakes last autumn.

Heading the home team is Brian Meehan’s Delegator, who was second to Sea The Stars in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket only to flop in the Irish equivalent.

Godolphin rely on Orizaba while a quality list is completed by Lord Shanakill, Evasive, Invisible Man and the Richard Hannon-trained duo Pure Poetry and Soul City.