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