Brontide strides clear in Down Royal© Photo Healy Racing
< Stellar Mass has now won the two biggest Flat races on the Down Royal calendar after adding the Her Majesty's Plate to his Ulster Derby success of last month.
Since that victory, Jim Bolger's colt has made the frame in the Irish Derby so it was no surprise that he was sent off the 4-9 favourite to account for three older rivals.
Having raced in third, Kevin Manning made his move to hit the front a furlong and a half from the finish and although Benkei wouldn't go down without a fight, Stellar Mass saw out the mile and three-quarters well to score by a length and a quarter.
Bolger and Manning followed up when Brontide ran away with the Magners Forbidden Flavours Handicap.
The 14-1 chance still had plenty to do turning in but the pacesetting Kubali fell in a hole, whereas Brontide was just finding his stride and stormed home by two and three-quarter lengths from Sing For Me < Noble Dancer overcame her inexperience to spring a big surprise on debut in the Magners Irish Cider Race.
Robbie Downey brought the 50-1 outsider down the centre of the track to collar even-money favourite Giselle's Charm in the shadows of the post, and she got the verdict by a neck.< Dancing Waves (4-1) won the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction Maiden in the style of a very promising juvenile.
No sooner had favourite Dapper Man hit the front than he was tackled by Ger Lyons' youngster, who careered away under Colin Keane to register a five-length verdict over Famous Millie.< The Yellow Bus (15-8 favourite) was second to Minding as a juvenile and made a belated start to her three-year-old campaign in the Magners This Is Our Time Fillies Maiden, but there were no signs of ring-rustiness as she defeated Sufoof by half a length.< Catwilldo ran out a decisive winner of the Apple Orchard Handicap as the 4-1 joint-favourite, while Three Bells supplemented Wednesday's Naas success in the Magners Light Handicap.
