McDonogh doubles up on Max Mayhem

The market spoke favourably in Max Mayhem 's favour and it proved spot on as the 4/6 favourite strode away from his three rivals.

This extended 10 furlong race was reduced to four runners with Star Official and Moss Tucker ruled out.

Vera Verto , who was also nicely backed during the day, led the field in but all eyes were drawn to strong-travelling Max Mayhem in third racing past the two pole.

Declan McDonogh merely had to push him along to lead a furlong and a half out and the pair drew right away in the closing stages to score by four and a quarter lengths for Joseph O'Brien.

Vera Verto (8/1) came in second for Jack Davison and Gary Carroll. Port Sunlight was easy to back during the day and finished a length further back in third.

Assistant trainer Brendan Powell said: “It's only his third run and it was quick ground last time. Dec said once he switched off after a couple of furlongs he always knew he was going to do it.

“How good a race it was I don't know but I think he's a nice horse. He showed a nice turn of foot and Dec said he coped with the ground lovely.”

This was a second winner on the card for jockey McDonogh who earlier scored on Lord Dudley in the Boyle Handicap.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee