ALL SPORTS

As the Irish flat season begins to wind down there was a last chance to see one of the stars of 2009 in domestic action at Dundalk on Friday evening as the Irish 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes hero Mastercraftsman put his Breeders Cup credentials on the line in the Group 3 Diamond Stakes.

The Danehill Dancer colt, who had chased home Sea The Stars in Juddmonte International and taken third behind that iconic champion at Leopardstown four weeks previously, was tackling a polytrack surface for the first time in this extended ten furlong event and was right at home at Dundalk.

After looking on from a remote third for much of the race, Aidan O'Brien's charge picked up the leaders in effortless style in the straight and sauntered clear to defeat the very smart Fiery Lad by five lengths. A much tougher assignment lies in wait for the four time Group 1 winner on his next outing but he couldn't have done this any better.

A trip to Santa Anita now beckons for Mastercraftsman for either the Breeders Mile or Classic. This warm up for next month's spectacular in California couldn't have gone any smoother and a bold showing can be expected from this colt whatever direction he is pointed in at Santa Anita.

Two days later at Dundalk O'Brien introduced quite a useful looking juvenile in Fighting Brave who made a winning debut in the seven furlong maiden. He looked to be in trouble early in the straight but got on top well in the closing stages and looks the type to progress well off this outing.

Tipperary's mixed card on Sunday played host to the penultimate group race of the Irish flat season and it was the Eddie Lynam-trained Duff who emerged victorious in the Coolmore Stud Home Of Champions Concorde Stakes.

Fresh from his win in the Group 2 Park Stakes at Doncaster last month, the fast ground loving six-year-old produced another accomplished display to account for the very useful Dohasa. A trip to Hong Kong's international meeting in December now beckons for Duff.

The last week also played host to a number of promising looking two-year-olds, among them the Dermot Weld-trained Thunder Bridge. He was decidedly impressive over an extended six furlongs at Sligo on Wednesday where he scored by 13 lengths on his racecourse debut when he had the notable disadvantage of an outside draw to overcome.

Two days previously Keredari became John Oxx's first juvenile winner of the campaign as he readily disposed of the experienced Purple Heart in a seven furlong maiden at Roscommon.

Another newcomer, this Oasis Dream colt appeared to win with any amount to spare and should be well worth his place at a higher grade. He has a good future.

Meanwhile back at Dundalk on Friday the Tommy Stack-trained Plum Sugar produced a likeable effort to win a one mile fillies maiden. Previously the Footstepsinthesand filly has run a promising fifth in a Leopardstown event won by the subsequently Group 1-placed You'll Be Mine. She looks a nice prospect for next year.

The stars of the national hunt scene are steadily returning to the fray and the former Gold Cup hero War Of Attrition was back in action at Gowran on Saturday but he had to settle for second on his comeback in a Grade 2 two and a half mile chase.

Mouse Morris's charge jumped and travelled well throughout but over a trip short of his best he was unable to match the versatile The Fonze from the third last. War Of Attrition should progress well for this and when he moves up in trip he can do better too.

The Supreme Novices Hurdle hero Go Native made his return in a Grade 2 hurdle at Tipperary on Sunday and notched up a very easy success over this three rivals as odds of 4/7 suggested he would. He will face much more demanding tests in due course but can still be expected to hold his own in open company throughout the campaign.

Elsewhere Fosters Cross produced a smart effort to account for the promising and hitherto unbeaten Loosen My Load in a useful novice hurdle and the Doncaster Sales-bound Dumitas scored impressively in a winner's bumper at Tipperary on Sunday. He looks more than capable of making up into a smart good ground jumper