O'Brien's master crushes Art dreams
Aidan O’Brien wasted no time in bringing up his 15th Group One victory of the season when Mastercraftsman ran out an easy winner of the Independent Waterford Wedgwood Phoenix Stakes.
Despite drifting like the proverbial barge in the market to 4-1 at the off, the Danehill Dancer colt sprinted clear to put up the best performance by a two-year-old so far this season.
Jamie Spencer settled even-money favourite Art Connoisseur at the back of the field and while he moved up menacingly, he had no answer when Johnny Murtagh pressed the button on the new 2000 Guineas favourite.
Paddy Power cut Mastercraftsman to 6-1 market leader (from 16s) for Newmarket next May following his four-and-a-half-length demolition.
