Racing:Mastercraftsman stretched clear of his rivals to run out a hugely impressive winner of the Boylesports.com Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh this afternoon.
Aidan O'Brien's colt was sent off the 6-4 market-leader having finished fifth in the English equivalent earlier in the month, and went to the front inside the final two furlongs as pacemaker Viceroy Of India dropped away.
Mastercraftsman's jockey Johnny Murtagh was hard at work but his rivals could not pick him up in the testing ground and the winner powered clear to score by four and a half lengths from Rayeni.
It was a fine effort from the runner-up on what was his first outing of the campaign, while Richard Hannon's Soul City ran a satisfactory race to finish third.
However, Brian Meehan's Delegator proved disappointing, travelling strongly towards the rear of the field before failing to pick up once push came to shove and was ultimately well held.
O'Brien said: "Obviously all the horses have improved for their first run and since Newmarket the horses have really started coming.
"Pat (Smullen) was very happy with him at Newmarket and said he really got going a furlong and a half out. We've been happy with him at home since and he showed today he is a great traveller and can quicken as well.
"Johnny said he won very easy today and we'd love to go to Ascot for the St James's Palace with him."