Group Three-placed last year as a juvenile, ‘Fozzy’ Stack’s charge had fallen short when tried in a grade higher this term but dropped back to Listed level and the 8/1 shot was in the front rank throughout in the hands of Seamie Heffernan.
Erosandpsyche proved her main rival in the last of the five furlongs, but Grand Marques had a little extra in reserve and eventually ran out a half-length winner.
Stack is now looking towards the Bar One Racing Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh on September 14.
“She had the right draw [stall 14] today and was able to get to the stands’ side rail, which was a big help,” said the trainer. “Nothing really bothered her in front and he [Heffernan] was able to sit until a furlong and a half down.
“If they all did what she did, a Listed winner and Group Three-placed, we’d be all right and today’s race was a win-and-you’re-in for the Flying Five Stakes. We have nothing to lose and all those sprinters seem to be beating each other this year.”
Endorsement (evens favourite) built on a debut second by claiming the opening maiden over nine furlongs for Aidan O’Brien and Wayne Lordan.
The Wootton Bassett colt, which hails from the family of Group One winner Johannes Vermeer, briefly looked as though he might have to settle for the runner-up prize again as Limestone made a good battle of it, but Endorsement found the required extra and was pulling away again as he crossed the line a length and three-quarters to the good.
Stablemate Christmas Day finished fifth on his racecourse bow after making the early running.
O’Brien’s representative Chris Armstrong said: “In fairness once he got him straightened up and balanced, his last furlong was his best part and he really hit the line well.
“He’ll now go into all those nice staying races towards the backend. He is still babyish, so will come on mentally and physically and could run next in the Zetland Stakes in Newmarket, and maybe then on to the Group Ones in France.”
The Ballydoyle team doubled up with Mississippi River (6-4 favourite) in the Glenvale Stud Race, edging out Bravais by a head.
Feature event on the card was the Coolmore Stud No Nay Never Fairy Bridge Stakes which went to Princess Child, trained by O’Brien’s son Joseph.
Ridden by Dylan Browne McMonagle, Princess Child was coming off an impressive success in the Ahonoora Handicap at the Galway Festival.
Settled in mid division, McMonagle managed to avoid the worst of the trouble as the field tightened up turning into the straight, with Mataariki swinging across the track to the nearside rail and appearing to impede Chantez and 11/4 favourite Fingerpaint in particular.
Switched to challenge down the middle, Princess Child (3/1) reeled in Queen Of Thunder which had set sail for home, eventually edging the spoils by a short head, with Fingerpaint making late gains to be beaten a further three and a half lengths in third.
O’Brien said: “If any horse every deserved to win a stakes race it was her, although you don’t always get what you deserve.”
Local trainer David Marnane landed a 103/1 double, which was initiated by the success of 25/1 outsider Redemption Road in the EBF Auction Series Maiden under Luke McAteer.
The Marnane brace was completed by Jasmine Affanalis which justified 3/1 favouritism in the hands of Darragh O’Sullivan in the apprentice handicap.