Aidan O’Brien’s unbeaten two-year-old Mastercraftsman heads a list of eight horses that have been declared for Sunday’s Bank Of Scotland (Ire) National Stakes at the Curragh.

The current 6-1 favourite for next year’s Stan James 2000 Guineas is joined in the field by his stable mates Drumbeat, Indian Ocean, Sea Of Marmara and Set Sail.

Another colt that will be trying to hold on to his unbeaten tag is the John Oxx trained Arazan. The son of Anabaa was last seen on the track when winning the Futurity Stakes at the Curragh on the 23^rd of August.

The Gimcrack winner Shaweel is the sole British representative in the race, while Jim Bolger’s Coventry stakes runner-up Intense Focus completes the eight runner line up.

William Hill make Mastercraftsman their 5-6 favourite for the Group 1 contest, and Arazan can be backed at 13-8.

William Hill’s Irish spokesman Tony Kenny commented “The National Stakes always gives us a few clues about next year’s Classics, and punters can expect to see a shake up in the next year’s 2000 Guineas market after Sunday’s race”   He continued “On paper the National Stakes looks like a match between Mastercraftsman and Arazan, and that’s reflected in our betting on the race”

Bank Of Scotland (Ire) National Stakes: (William Hill Bet) 5-6 Mastercraftsman, 13-8 Arazan, 9-1 Shaweel, 16-1 Indian Ocean, 20-1 Intense Focus, 33-1 Drumbeat, 40-1 Set Sail, 100-1 Sea Of Marmara – E/W 1/5 1-2-3