There’s no stopping trainer Aidan O’Brien. After Duke Of Marmalade had earned team Ballydoyle a 14th Group One success for the season in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, the yard notched up Group One win number 15 when Mastercraftsman took the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh by a comfortable four and a half lengths; a performance that catapulted him to the head of betting for next year’s 2000 Guineas.

Totesport were most impressed slashing him into 5/1 (from 14/1), while Ladbrokes go a top-priced 8/1 joint favourite (with stablemate Rip Van Winkle), with all other firms at either 6/1 or 7/1. Yet he was surprisingly easy to back before the race on Betfair, and was even matched at an in-running high of 8 when the eventual second Art Connoisseur (traded as short as 1.32) threatened to close the gap approaching the final furlong.  However, the winner ran on strongly to keep his unbeaten record, and he’s a worthy favourite for the Newmarket classic, especially when you consider that the trainer’s last two Phoenix winners to run in the Guineas - Henrythenavigator and George Washington - both won.

Click here to back Mastercraftsman for the 2000 Guineas with Ladbrokes.

24 hours earlier, his stablemate Duke Of Marmalade confirmed his position as the season’s leading turf performer with victory in the King George over 1m4f, quashing any doubts (mine included) that he wouldn’t stay the extra two furlongs of this summer highlight. With his stamina now proven, O’Brien might be tempted to run him in the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe, for which Paddy Power go a top-priced 6/1. However, he has hinted that the four-year-old would be next seen over a shorter trip in races like the Juddmonte International at York and Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown. Looking even further ahead, I can’t wait to see him run in the Breeder’s Cup Classic. Duke Of Marmalade versus Curlin - can you imagine that!

With so many top class horses to go to war with, it would be a brave man to back against O’Brien going on to beat his personal best Group / Grade 1 seasonal tally of 23 - Betfred go 1/8 on that eventuality and only 2/7 that he beats Bobby Frankel’s ‘world’ record of 25 Group / Grade 1 winners in a season. If you fancy him to do that, then go to Hills as they are offering a more generous 4/7 (5/4 that he doesn’t) - but get on quick. O’Brien runs Henrythenavigator in Wednesday’s Group One Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, for which he’s odds-on across the board - best-priced 1/2 with bet365. Granted fast ground, it’s hard to see him getting beat.

Click here to back Henrythenavigator for the Sussex Stakes with bet365.