Mastercraftsman appears to be the stand out bet in this line-up but, once again, there are enough concerns about his chance to pass him over at the likely prices. A tentative suggestion is MAMBO MEISTER in the hope that he can improve for the switch to this surface whilst Furthest Land could also figure. Mastercraftsman has taken his tally of Group 1 successes to four this season but he has had a fairly tough time this season, particularly in two of his last three starts when trying to take on Sea The Stars. He's been given a confidence boosting win at Dundalk since then in preparation for this test but he looked more of a grinder at Ascot in June and could be vulnerable to something with more of a change of pace. The problem with taking him on is that holes can be picked in nearly all of the opposition as Bullsbay has regularly disappointed away from dirt, Chocolate Candy and Mr Sidney have plenty to prove at this trip, Midshipman and Pyro may both be best on dirt whilst Neko Bay and Ready's Echo don't look good enough. Furthest Land has proved that he handles a synthetic surface which is a big point in his favour but there's a suggestion on his recent form that he could find the drop back to a mile against him. Mambo Meister has something to find on the book at this level and is also having his first run on this surface but he is priced accordingly. He ran a couple of decent races in defeat behind Justenuffhumor on the turf track at Saratoga earlier in the year and has a running style that should be effective here. Therefore, with Mastercraftsman looking short enough in the betting we'll opt for Mambo Meister at a price.
Mastercraftsman (IRE) 2-9fav (9-2) Tracked leaders in moderate 3rd, asked to close over 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, kept on strongly final furlong to go clear, eased close home, won at Dundalk 1m 3f Group 3 stks (3yo+) pol in Oct beating Fiery Lad (9-2) by 5l, 11 ran.
Furthest Land (USA) 6-1 (8-6) 4 wide, driving, won at Turfway Park(USA) 1m 1f Group 2 sks 3yo+ in Sep beating Dubious Miss (8-6) by nk, 9 ran.
Midshipman (USA) 9-5 (8-4) Drifted out 3/16 pole, won at Belmont Park(USA) 6f clm stks in Sep beating Just Ben (8-7) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Bullsbay (USA) 13-1 (9-0) Bid, weakened, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Rachel Alexandra (8-6) at Saratoga(USA) 1m 1f Grp 1 in Sep.
Neko Bay (USA) 5-1 (8-5) Split foes,rail bid, won at Oak Tree At Santa Anita(USA) 1m stks (3yo+) in Oct beating Mast Track (8-12) by 1l, 8 ran.
Mambo Meister (USA) 14-5 (8-6) 4 wide, drew away, won at Calder Race Course(USA) 1m Grade 3 hcp (3yo+) in Oct beating Motovato (8-7) by 4l, 8 ran.
Pyro (USA) 4-1 (8-12) Broke slow, split 1/4p, won at Saratoga(USA) 7f Grp 1 fst in Sep beating Kodiak Kowboy (8-12) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Mr. Sidney (USA) 14-5 (9-0) 4w, improved position, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Court Vision (9-0) at Keeneland(USA) 1m Grp 1 sft in Oct.
Chocolate Candy (USA) 11-1 (8-9) Inside bid,outkicked, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Gitano Hernando (8-9) at Oak Tree At Santa Anita(USA) 1m 1f fll stks Grp 1 in Oct.
Ready's Echo (USA) 3-5fav (8-2) Broke slow wide, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Le Grand Cru (8-1) at Belmont Park(USA) 1m Grade 3 hcp (3yo+) in Oct.
