from Racing Post:

MASTERCRAFTSMAN may take up his entry on the Polytrack surface at Dundalk should stablemate Rip Van Winkle overcome a foot problem and make the line-up the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Saturday week.

Rip Van Winkle has been troubled since his victory in the BGC Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, but O'Brien has not given up on the colt lining-up in the Ascot event which he has won just once, with George Washington in 2006.

"We are still hoping that Rip Van Winkle will make it to Ascot and if we are happy with him next week then he rather than Mastercraftsman would get preference for the race.

"In those circumstances then we would look at running Mastercraftsman in the Dundalk race with the Breeders' Cup in mind."

Dundalk's Group 3 Diamond Stakes, over just short of 1m 3f, on October 2 was won last year by Muhannak, who went on to win the Breeders' Cup Marathon.

According to O'Brien, Fame And Glory's preparation for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is going to plan.

"It's a case of so far, so good with him," O'Brien said of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby winner who finished second to Sea The Stars in the Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on his most recent start.

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