Aidan O’Brien is unquestionably the trainer to follow in this race having won five of the last nine renewals and that's a big positive for MASTERCRAFTSMAN.

The colt won four times, two at the highest level, as a two-year-old and was reportedly in need of the run when a creditable fifth in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on his seasonal reappearance. He certainly proved the point on his next start in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh, when sluicing home to win as he pleased by four-and-a-half lengths, with the re-opposing Delegator (4/1 general) a blatant non-stayer in the testing conditions

On that evidence, you might conclude that Delegator - assuming he's back on song after his hard race in Ireland - is the one to be on now with conditions more in his favour, but Mastercraftsman was at his most impressive last year on fast ground, and he is just the type to keep improving throughout the season. Combine that with the stable's outstanding strike-rate in this race, and there seems little point in looking elsewhere for the winner, although we are not going to get rich backing him at the current 10/11 (Sportingbet).

Of course, it's entirely possible that Delegator, who had previously finished second to Sea The Stars in the 2000 Guineas, will leave his Curragh failure well behind and his potent turn of foot will be seen to better effect on this quicker surface, but Mastercraftsman is much the better horse in my opinion and looks something to bet on, providing we can get evens or better on the day of the race.

O'Brien also saddles Set Sail (66/1 Skybet) and Born To Be King (100/1 general), but they are impossible to fancy on their overall form, and a bigger threat to the selection comes from the fourth Irish-trained runner in the shape of Intense Focus (9/1 William Hill). Jim Bolger's colt showed battling qualities to win the Dewhurst Stakes last autumn and is best on a fast surface so, providing the rain stays away, he should run well. At 9/1 with bet365, he's the one for each-way backers.

Evasive (6/1 Ladbrokes) showed early speed before fading to finish one place behind Mastercraftsman in the 2000 Guineas and deserves another chance to show he stays this trip. His chance of lasting home will be increased if the going is on the quick side, but I suspect he will turn out to be a sprinter. Soul City (20/1 Victor Chandler) and Lord Shanakill (25/1 Paddy Power) look best of the remainder.

Recommended Bet:

Mastercraftsman 4pts @ evens or better on the day of the race.