More G1 glory for Danehill Dancer

14th September 2008

The Aidan O’Brien-trained Mastercraftsman (2c Danehill Dancer-Starlight Dreams, by Black Tie Affair) put in a gutsy effort to hold off Shaweel and take the G1 National Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.

It was a second G1 success for Mastercraftsman, who was shortened to 4/1 favouritism for next year’s 2,000 Guineas with bookmaker Paddy Power after his latest top-level victory.

"He has to be very good to do what he has done today. It was his first run back after a break and the ground was very deep," said O’Brien. "He has a great attitude and an awful lot of speed. We'll now have a look at (the G1 Prix Jean Luc Lagardere-Grand Criterium) on Arc day."

The success came 24 hours after Westphalia (2c Danehill Dancer-Pharapache, by Lyphard) won the G2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster and continued a brilliant recent run for Danehill Dancer’s juveniles.

Also at the Curragh on Sunday, the David Wachman-trained and Pierce Molony-bred What’s Up Pussycat (2f Danehill Dancer-Sangita, by Royal Academy) added to her sire’s record when winning the Listed Blenheim Stakes.