Vinnie beaten as Murtagh steals show

Top-class stayer Vinnie Roe was beaten at odds of 1-2 on his seasonal debut in an extraordinary running of the Saval Beg Stakes at Leopardstown last night.

The Listed race was won by 14-1 shot Windermere, who was sent straight into a long lead by Johnny Murtagh and was never sighted by his five opponents.

At one stage the Ted Walsh-trained five-year-old was a furlong clear and he never looked likely to be caught in the one-mile-six-furlong contest.

Vinnie Roe emerged from the pack under Pat Smullen to give chase after the turn into the straight, but though he ran on stoutly, he was four and a half lengths behind at the line as Murtagh eased up on the winner.

Sections of the crowd were not happy and there was a certain amount of heckling when the beaten horses returned.

Vinnie Roe, winner of the Irish St Leger for a record third time last year, remains on target for a tilt at the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

Trainer Dermot Weld said: “The winner is a good horse and was given an excellent tactical ride by Johnny Murtagh.

“Providing Vinnie Roe is fit and well the plan is to go for the Ascot Gold Cup.”

Bookmakers Paddy Power and Boylesports left the six-year-old at 9-2 second favourite for the big race behind Mr Dinos.

Windermere’s trainer Walsh said: “Sometimes things go your way. All I said to Johnny was ‘he’s fit and well, and away you go’.”

Jim Bolger intends sending Pictavia for the Listed Swordlestown Stud Sprint Stakes at Naas on June 7 after the filly (6-1) resisted the challenge of the Aidan O’Brien-trained odds-on shot Showdance to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden by two and a half lengths.

Bolger confirmed his Irish 1000 Guineas runner-up Alexander Goldrun would run next in France.

“All going well, and if she bounces back from her run at the Curragh, she will go for the French Oaks at Chantilly (on June 13),” he said.