Master QEII bid remains unlikely Visit Paddy Power Save For Later Posted by Bettingpro Staff 24 Sep 2009 Tweet Mastercraftsman has been left in the QEII field as a precaution. (credit: Photo$) Related Articles See all Racing news Share it Pin It Aidan O’Brien has warned punters that Mastercraftsman has been left in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes field as a precaution and will not take his chance if Rip Van Winkle is fit. The Group 1 spectacular takes place at Ascot on Saturday and it was a surprise to see that Mastercraftsman was declared. However, the Irish maestro has put the public in the know and it is unlikely that the Irish 2000 Guineas and St James’ Palace Stakes winner will make it to post. It now seems probable that Rip Van Winkle will attempt to make all in the absence of any pacemaker. O'Brien said on Thursday: "Mastercraftsman is in the race in case, for any reason, Rip Van Winkle does not run. "It is a case of so far, so good with Rip Van Winkle and we are happy with him, but in view of the issues he has had this year, we decided to declare Mastercraftsman as a precaution. If all stays well with Rip Van Winkle then Mastercraftsman will not run." Rip Van Winkle has had persistent foot problems this season and it has been a season held back by niggling injuries. He was last seen running out an emphatic winner of the BGC Sussex Stakes. Rip is a best-priced 5/6 (Paddy Power) to land the race and outgun Aqlaam, Delegator and Zacinto. Read our Paddy Power review Get your £250 free bet at Paddypower Like Like Post to wall 109 Reads All Horse Racing News Recent Horse Racing Articles Irish 2,000 Guineas - Final declared runners and riders with odds24 May 2012Parish Hall has been cut to 7/2 favourite after heading a field of 11 declared for the Abu Dhabi Ir Frankel scratched from Irish Champion Stakes24 May 2012Frankel, officially the world’s best racehorse, has been scratched from the Irish Champion Stakes a Frankel v Black Caviar Betting23 May 2012Coral has opened betting on a match bet based on Frankel and Black Caviar meeting over 7 furlongs. Irish 2,000 Guineas betting - Pat Smullen booked for Born To Sea ride23 May 2012Parish Hall is a best-priced 4/1 favourite with Bet365 for the Abu Dhabi Irish 2,000 Guineas, in wh Kauto Star ends 2011-12 season as top-rated jumps horse22 May 2012Steeplechasing legend Kauto Star has been crowned the highest-rated jumps horse in training for the Frankel evens to improve on rating after Lockinge Stakes victory21 May 2012William Hill have added more Frankel betting specials after his sensational display in the Lockinge More Stories Recent Articles Jedward Fourth Favourite at Paddy Power!26 May 2012Paddy Power make Jedward their joint fourth favourites for tonight's Eurovision final. The Waterlin WTA Strasbourg Open 2013 dates and live stream26 May 2012The WTA Strasbourg Open will be back in 2013, and you can watch live coverage of it with bet365 2012 French Open Women’s Tips – Wide open affair at Roland Garros26 May 2012Unlike the men’s singles competition where Rafael Nadal is the clear favourite, the French Open wom Independiente v Union Santa Fe live stream preview26 May 2012Independiente play host to Union Santa Fe in Argentina's Torneo Clausura on Sunday evening. WTA Brussels Open 2013 dates and live stream26 May 2012The WTA Brussels Open will be back in 2013, and you can watch live coverage of it with bet365 NRL Live Streaming - Sunday, May 2726 May 2012The NRL continues on Sunday with two top class rugby league matches being streamed live online. More Stories Tags Aidan O’Brien, Ascot, Mastercraftsman, QEII Stakes, Rip Van Winkle
