Vinnie claims French Leger

Dermot Weld`s decision to skip the Melbourne Cup and run his Irish St Leger hero Vinnie Roe in the Prix Royal Oak, the French equivalent, at Longchamp this afternoon paid handsome dividends.

Under a confident ride by Pat Smullen the Irish raider powered through the mud to take the extended one mile seven furlong Group One by two-and-a-half lengths from Generic, with Germinis a neck back in third.

With underfoot conditions placing the emphasis on stamina Vinnie Roe rose to the occasion brilliantly.

Smullen had the three-year-old ready to pounce turning for home tracking Germinis, attempting to follow up his Prix du Cadran win here on Arc weekend, and Mark Johnston`s Yavana`s Pace.

Taking command early in the straight the 3.7-1 shot soon had his second all-aged Classic in the bag, with Generic coming from a long way back to grab the runner-up spot. Yavana`s Pace was fourth.

Favourite Wareed, successful over course and distance three weeks ago, was in a fighting position under Frankie Dettori before running out of stamina over half a mile out, trailing in 12th of the 13 runners, ahead of John Dunlop`s Fair Question.

San Sebastian, Dunlop`s second runner, was prominent early before back pedalling to come in seventh.

Earlier Repertory belied his eight years of age to land back to back wins in the Group Three Prix du Petit Couvert.

Malcolm Saunders` veteran, who was returned at 2.7-1 on the French Tote, made virtually all in the five furlong sprint to beat Dancing Mystery by two and a half lengths.

It was Ulster jockey Fergus Sweeney`s his first-ever Group winner.

'I`m delighted. This is a major breakthrough for me. I won on Repertory at the Curragh on Irish Derby day in July and that was my first ride in Ireland,' said Sweeney.

'I hope to ride in Hong Kong in the big sprint at the international meeting there. My intended mount is The Trader whom I won on a Newbury.'

The Couvert favourite Deep Sleep, ridden by Olivier Peslier, was lastof the nine runners.

Peslier, like Dettori hot foot from Belmont Park where the two friends had played starring roles on Saturday, will barely have time to draw breath as he flies out to Japan on Monday for three days.