Craftsman top of the rankings

Tuesday 13 January 2009 20:00 EST

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Aidan O'Brien's Mastercraftsman was yesterday rated last year's top two-year-old in Europe but his handicap mark of 122 was 4lb lower than that achieved by 2007 champion New Approach.

The European Rankings are compiled by handicappers from across the continent. Mastercraftsman attained his rating from his Group One victory in the Phoenix Stakes and was ranked 3lb higher than Freddy Head's Naaqoos (119).

O'Brien's Rip Van Winkle, many bookmakers' favourite for the 2000 Guineas, was down the pack on 115. But Matthew Tester, Britain's two-year-old handicapper said. "Aidan says Rip Van Winkle is a top class horse and I could believe he'd be a superstar – but he's not yet."

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Craftsman top of the rankings

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