Vinnie Roe wins fourth successive Leger

Vinnie Roe raised the roof at the Curragh this afternoon with an unprecedented fourth success in the Irish Field St Leger.

Vinnie Roe raised the roof at the Curragh this afternoon with an unprecedented fourth success in the Irish Field St Leger.

Dermot Weld's remarkable stayer could be called the winner from some way out and took up the running in the straight under a tight rein.

He stretched further clear at the furlong pole and jockey Pat Smullen was able to start the whip-waving celebrations before the 7-2 joint-favourite had even crossed the line.

Brian Boru, the other market leader, ran on for second two and a half lengths away, with Sir Michael Stoute's First Charter a creditable third under Kieren Fallon.

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Weld said: "It's a very, very special day. We have had problems getting him here and to deliver him to win like that gives special satisfaction. He doesn't jump out of bed as quick in a morning as he used to.

"We'll think about the Melbourne Cup. If he comes out of this race really well, I'd give it serious consideration. But if he is stiff and sore, he won't go."

Smullen could barely conceal his delight, and he admitted afterwards: "The pressure was on me today to do it for the horse, more than anything.

"I couldn't believe how well he was going coming down the hill. This horse is very dear to my heart because when I needed a good horse, he came along."

Cashmans cut Vinnie Roe to 8-1 joint-favourite (from 14s) for the Melbourne Cup, in which he was fourth behind stablemate Media Puzzle in 2002.

And Smullen added: "If there is any cut in the ground he would be very competitive."

The layers also gave the six-year-old a 6-1 quote for next year's St Leger.

Jamie Spencer said of runner-up Brian Boru: "He ran well, but the winner is special."

Fallon added of First Charter: "He's run a good race, but that is not his ground. He's a fast-ground horse."