It was a sadly rare thing for me this year but I called the 2000 Guineas at The Curragh spot on.
In a blog on setanta.com, I stated that Mastercraftsman was too big at 7-2 during the week of the race. He went off 6-4 and bolted up.
I was totally against Delegator on the ground, but it is all about the perceived value in racing and Brian Meehan's colt now seems long at 9-2 for the St James' Palace, with 'Master' no better than 5-4.
He is available at that 'non-runner no bet' - so that negates any concerns about the colt partaking. Meehan indeed has said that he runs pending suitable terrain.
In their two jousts this year, Delegator beat Masterscraftsman comfortably at Newmarket, before 'Master' trounced him and everything else in a Curragh bog.
Delegator's flop that day can surely be put down to the ground: it was what connections thought afterwards and it seemed easily the most logical answer.
'Master' is one of those Danehill Dancers who is ground versatile. It is hard to be sure on the basis of his form what suits best, but he certainly takes a while to get going and Delegator has more of a cruising speed.
The Dansili colt is not blessed with abundant stamina for mile races, but regardless of that, he was a good winner of the Guineas if you take out the freak Sea The Stars.
Masterscraftsman deserves to be favourite as he probably improved a great deal from Newmarket by the time the Irish equivalent came around.
Yet 5-4 against 9-2?
Meehan seems very happy with the horse. If it turns out to be a modest gallop (admittedly unlikely given the Ballydoyle entries), he will be primed to overcome 'Master', who is a giant-striding horse who keeps galloping.
With regard to the each-way part of the bet (quarter the odds), it may be a small enough field yet. Intense Focus is respected but not as classy as Delegator. Evasive has it to find with both 'Master' and Delegator on Guineas form.
Lord Shanakill is excused his effort in the same race and is tempting at 20-1 each-way, but Delegator looks excellent value.