CURRAGH REPORT: JUST 24 hours after winding up the 2008 classics with an Irish "grand slam", Aidan O'Brien got to work on next year's targets as Mastercraftsman retained his unbeaten record with a Group One victory at the Curragh yesterday.
The Ballydoyle two-year-old star edged out the English raider Shaweel by a short head in a Bank of Scotland National Stakes run on the type of heavy ground that demands courage as well as class.
It was a seventh success in the race for O'Brien, and, despite the narrow verdict, he was more than happy to place Mastercraftsman in the company of George Washington, Hawk Wing, et al.
"Extreme going is a test and they have to have heart as well as ability," the trainer said. "He showed he was a special horse there. I was surprised he was able to do it because it was seven weeks since he won the Phoenix and we were very worried about the ground. So he has to be very good to do that."
Bookmaker reaction was to leave the colt unchanged as a 6 to 1 favourite for next year's 2,000 Guineas, when Mastercraftsman will no doubt be part of a powerful O'Brien classic crop that already are no more than 8 to 1 with some firms to emulate this year's classic clean sweep in Ireland.
Before that, Mastercraftsman could travel to France on Arc day for the Prix Jean Luc Lagadere, which will present O'Brien with another Group One opportunity. Yesterday was his 20th top-flight success of the year, and O'Brien is only 1 to 5 to break Bobby Frankel's world record of 25 Group/Grade One wins achieved five years ago.
Arazan started favourite ahead of Mastercraftsman but could only plug on for third, and his trainer John Oxx reported: "We thought he would handle the ground better than the others and he didn't. Maybe it was because he was up against better horses than the last day, I don't know."
Deirdre Johnston, representing her husband, Mark, who trains Shaweel, said: "It was a very game performance and we got very close. Greg (Fairley) gave him an enterprising ride."
John Murtagh added to his Group One success on Mastercraftsman with another short head success in the Listed Blenheim Stakes on board What's Up Pussycat.
It looked like it was going to be a hard-luck story for David Wachman's filly for much of the closing stages, but Murtagh secured a run in time to touch off Roof Fiddle.
But the former champion was out of luck in the Group Three Solonaway Stakes as Zulu Chief could never get in a blow at the all-the-way winner Jumbajukiba.
It was a fifth course win for Jessica Harrington's stalwart, and the trainer said: "He only just gets a mile so he was running on empty in the last 150 yards. He loves it here but absolutely hates Leopardstown and doesn't like travelling, so maybe I will have to pay the Curragh to stay open."
Harrington also didn't rule out a spell of jumping for Jumbajukiba, who was originally bought for just 20,000 Guineas as a potential hurdler.
Nafaath emerged from the pack to overhaul the Ballydoyle outsider Four Star General in the opening two-year-old maiden and had enough in reserve to hold Lamzena Lady's late challenge by a length and a half.
Finally, Henrythenavigator has been confirmed as an intended starter in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Saturday week, but his Breeders Cup target is as yet uncertain.
O'Brien said: "He is in both the Classic and the Mile, but we will get the QEII out of the way first before deciding."
