Murtagh looking forward to Juddmonte clash Johnny Murtagh believes Mastercraftsman has improved since Royal Ascot as he prepares to lock horns with Sea The Stars for a second time in the Juddmonte International at York on Tuesday. Aidan O'Brien's colt could finish only fifth as Sea The Stars ran out a brilliant winner of the 2000 Guineas back in May, and both horses have since gone on to achieve further success at the highest level. While Sea The Stars has since tasted Derby glory at Epsom and won the Eclipse at Sandown, Mastercraftsman ploughed through the mud to win the Irish 2000 Guineas before scoring in much faster conditions in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. And Murtagh and can hardly wait for the Group One event over an extended 10 furlongs. "I'm really looking forward to it and it's going to be a great race. My horse is a really solid horse, the ground doesn't matter to him and nothing seems to bother him," said Murtagh. "He's had a nice break since Ascot and I think he's come on again since then, so it should be a great race. "Obviously it's his first try at the trip and you never can be sure what's going to happen, but he's a solid horse and a very straightforward ride. "We're very happy with him and we'll just have to see what happens now."
