Progressive Mastercraftsman Colt Wins Valuable Prize

The progressive Coltrane (3c Mastercraftsman - Promise Me, by Montjeu) continues to go from strength to strength and secured his greatest prize to date when taking the valuable Melrose Handicap at the York Ebor Festival.

Successful in a mile and a half maiden last month, the Andrew Balding-trained colt followed up over a mile and six next time out - the same distance of Saturday’s contest. Oisin Murphy rode the bay close to the pace, pushing him along from three furlongs out and led approaching the final furlong. Ridden out, Coltrane stayed on strongly to win by four lengths.

Owned by Mick and Janice Mariscotti, Coltrane was bred by Rockfield Farm and provides a timely update for his Highland Reel brother entered for the Goffs Sportsman’s Sale. The son of Mastercraftsman is the first foal out of Promise Me, herself a full-sister to Galway Hurdle winner Tigris River (Montjeu) and a half-sister to Stakes performer You’resobeautiful (No Nay Never) and the highly-rated Shevchenko (Rock Of Gibraltar).