Murtagh banking on Mastercraftsman class

Johnny Murtagh is confident Mastercraftsman remains at the peak of his powers ahead of his Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile assignment at Santa Anita tomorrow.

Aidan O’Brien’s Irish 2000 Guineas scorer was beaten just a length by the brilliant Sea The Stars in the Juddmonte International at York and warmed up for his trip to America with a ready win on Dundalk’s artificial surface.

“He is in great shape and I think he likes the place. He handles the Polytrack as he won on it in Dundalk and he is drawn very well (stall one),” said Murtagh.

“He may get back a little bit but I would rather be drawn there saving ground than approaching the first bend seven or eight wide.

“He is very tough and consistent and his last couple of pieces of work have been good.

“I was delighted with him at York and he seems back in that sort of condition again.”