Windermere lowered the colours of triple Irish St Leger winner Vinnie Roe when readily making all in a controversial renewal of the Listed Saval Beg Stakes.
John Murtagh built up a huge lead aboard Ted Walsh's 14/1 outsider early on as the other five riders showed no interest in following the five-year-old gelding.
The leader was gone well beyond recall as the others tried to close inside the final half mile, and Murtagh could afford to sit up in the closing stages as Vinnie Roe closed to within four and a half lengths at the line.
Dermot Weld was in philosophical mood afterwards saying, 'The winner is a good horse (rated 107), and was given an excellent tactical ride by John Murtagh.'
'Providing Vinnie Roe is fit and well, the plan is to go for the Ascot Gold Cup,' for which he is unchanged at 9/2 with both Paddy Power and Boylesports.
The stewards noted the explanations of each of the five following riders, with Pat Smullen saying, 'Vinnie Roe was having his first run of the year with 10.2n on his back, and I didn't want to commit him too soon.'
Weld and Smullen gained some compensation later in the evening when King Jock ran out an impressive winner of the mile maiden beating Azarouak by five lengths.
Pictavia, who lost any chance at the start on her debut at Cork, put that run behind her when upsetting the odds-on newcomer Showdance in the seven furlongs juvenile maiden.
Kevin Manning's mount made virtually all, and kept on strongly under pressure in the straight to shrug off the favourite by two and a half lengths.
'The stalls banged back and hit her in the face at Cork. We'll now have a look at the Swordlestown Stud Sprint Stakes (a Listed race for 2yo fillies) at Naas on June 7,' said trainer Jim Bolger.
The Coolcullen trainer also had news of his Irish 1,000 Guineas runner-up Alexander Goldrun. 'All going well, and if she bounces back from her run at the Curragh, she will go for the Prix de Diane (French Oaks).'
Dollars Rock survived a stewards enquiry to provide leading apprentice Cathy Gannon with her ninth winner of the season in the seven furlongs handicap.
Thomond O'Mara's charge drifted left towards eventual third Soranna inside the final furlong but kept going to hold the renewed effort of Beautifulballerina by a neck.
Gannon was found guilty of careless riding, and was given a one day suspension.
Jenkins Lane finished with a flourish to peg back Hard Warrior in the six furlongs two-year-old auction maiden, driven to the front by Pat Shanahan inside the final 50 yards to score by half a length.
Alan Magee
