McGuinness the magician as Master finds progress at age of 8

Master Speaker made it two from two for Shamrock Thoroughbreds and earned trainer Ado McGuinness a justifiable level of high praise when bolting up under Robbie Downey in the Fastfix Handicap at Dundalk.

Notoriously difficult to win with through the years, the eight-year-old is clearly on really good terms with himself since relocating to Lusk County Dublin.

The 11,000 Euro October purchase streaked clear inside the last for a five and a half length verdict over Togoville

"I think the first day of the season could be out of the question now. I spoke well of the handicapper the last day but I'm not sure if I will be after today," said McGuinness.

"He won quite easily. I think he's a horse that's going to be very competitive in a good handicap.

"We can afford to wait now as he's won a few quid and we'll target one of the big handicaps during the summer.

"We'll see what the handicapper gives him and then decide if we go on the first day of the season or not.

"People would say this is not as competitive but he's improving. I know he's eight but he's improving and hopefully he's going back up to the mark that he had.

"I knew he wasn't 100 percent the last day, he was about 80 percent fit, so he's just coming on now.

"It's been great for him. People told me he was this, that and the other but I wouldn't mind a couple more like him.

"I was told he had knots in his tendons and he was wrong in the wind and everything else but he's definitely not."

(GC & EM)