Mastercraftsman unstoppable

Mastercraftsman's fantastic run continued on Saturday when he enjoyed a double in maidens at Chester and Doncaster, courtesy of Master Of Finance (2c Mastercraftsman-Cheal Rose, by Dr Devious) and Mutatis Mutandis (2f Mastercraftsman-Amathia, by Darshaan).

The Mark Johnston-trained Master Of Finance, who was bred by Maddenstown Equine Enterprise, took the seven-furlong Chester maiden by a length and a half and winning rider Joe Fanning predicts that the colt will improve with age.

"He's still weak and will be a nice three-year-old next year," Fanning told the Racing Post.

Meanwhile, trainer Ed Walker is hoping to get black-type with Mutatis Mutandis after she took a Doncaster mile maiden in the colours of Andrew Black’s Chasemore Farm.

"Mutatis Mutandis has got a great attitude, but was green early doors, hence the hood. She probably doesn't need it now and is very straightforward. There should be more to come, but I've no plans. Getting some black type is important, but that can come next year as she's quite immature," said Walker.

Bred by Kildaragh Stud, Mutatis Mutandis was bought for 160,000gns as a yearling by Tom Goff of Blandford Bloodstock.

Three days earlier, the John Quinn-trained L'Artiste (2f Mastercraftsman-Sepia, by Dansili) looked an exciting prospect when winning a Beverley maiden.

"L'Artiste is the most lovely looking filly and has been from the day we purchased her. I was in France at the sales and went down to one of the barns to view a certain horse. Whilst there I saw this grey filly and had to have a look at her. As they say the rest is history," recalled Quinn.

"Like many of our two-year-olds she has taken a little bit of time to replicate what she was showing on the track at home but stepping up to seven and a half furlongs at Beverley she showed the most wonderful attitude to guts out a one-length win at the line."