High Chaparral landed an exciting renewal of the million euro Ireland The Food Island Champion Stakes but only following a stewards enquiry and objection after beating Falbrav by a neck.
Michael Kinane's mount struck the front a furlong out but needed to be ridden right out to hold off an unlucky Falbrav, who didn't enjoy a clear passage in the straight.
Islington stayed on well to finish just a head further back in third, while 5/4 favourite Alamshar was tightened for room on the far rail from the home turn another length and a half adrift in fourth.
Following a lengthy enquiry the placings remained unaltered, and Aidan O'Brien said, 'I thought it would be his third run before he peaked this year.'
'He handled the fast ground well but is a heavy shouldered horse, and hopefully will be okay in the morning. The plan has been to go from here to the Arc.'
High Chaparral is 7/2 with Ladbrokes for the Longchamp showpiece but Cashmans were far more impressed and have cut the son of Sadler's Wells from 3/1 to 7/4.
Tycoon got the afternoon off to a good start for Ballydoyle when justifying odds of 2/9 by making virtually all in the two-year-old maiden.
The Royal Ascot runner-up shrugged off the strong challenge of newcomer Park Haven inside the final furlong to score by three-quarters of a length under Kinane.
'He's still very green, and Mick could not have been gentler on him. He's a great mover, and races like the Grand Criterium, Racing Post Trophy and Beresford Stakes are open to him,' said O'Brien.
The Alamshar team of John Oxx and Johnny Murtagh gained some compensation elsewhere by completing a double with D'Anjou and Mkuzi.
D'Anjou recorded his third course win, and fifth in total, when staying on gamely under pressure in the valuable Oliver Freaney September Handicap.
'This is his favourite track and he likes seven furlongs, fast ground and going around bends. He may have one more run this season in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes at Tipperary on October 5,' said Oxx.
Oxx and Murtagh followed up half-an-hour later in the Listed Lyons Gold Blend Kilternan Stakes where Mkuzi gained a hard-earned victory.
Sheikh Mohammed's home-bred was switched left over a furlong out, and galvanised by Murtagh to get up close home for a three-quarters of a length verdict over Middlemarch.
'He was the top rated horse, and if he was going to win a Listed race this year then that was his chance. There is no particular plan, and he will probably be kept in training again next year,' said Oxx.
Favourable Terms (5/4 to 11/10) was another winning favourite in the Group 2 betfair.com Matron Stakes, leading off the home turn for Kieren Fallon to beat the staying on Perfect Touch by a neck.
Sir Michael Stoute was not present but his travelling head lad Jimmy Scott said, 'Kieren got a nice lead, and the fast pace suited. We've always liked her, and she could be going for a Group 1 now.'
Billy Lee (17) recorded a notable first double on the afternoon when successful aboard handicappers Somethingforsunday and Kakatiya.
Somethingforsunday settled the issue in the mile and a half event by quickening clear off the home bend, and the Irene Oakes-trained filly kept on for a three-quarter length win from She's Our Girl.
Lee followed up in the nine furlongs handicap where Kakatiya was always travelling well, and led over a furlong out to beat King Of Peace by a length and a half.
Kevin Manning gave an inspired display on Alexander Goldrun in the nursery, getting a bit extra from the Jim Bolger-trained filly close home to touch off Castledale.
The attendance was just over 12,500, while the Tote aggregate of 473,735 euro showed a healthy increase on last year's tally of 344,720.
Alan Magee
