German trip on cards for Vinnie Roe

Vinnie Roe`s St Leger credentials could end up being tested in Germany next month.

Dermot Weld is considering running the impressive Leopardstown winner in the Group Two Europachampionat over a mile and a half at Berlin`s Hoppergarten track on August 19th, after which a decison on whether the colt will tackle the English or Irish St Leger will be made.

"He came out of his race last weekend very well but no decision on whether he will run at Doncaster or the Curragh will be taken until after his next race. It is quite possible that will be in Germany," said Weld yesterday.

Vinnie Roe is part owned by renowned film director and producer Jim Sheridan and was an impressive winner of the Challenge Stakes last Saturday. Weld will miss out on Saturday`s Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot and confirmed yesterday that his good filly, Steaming Home, will instead wait for the Group One Independent Waterford Wedgewood Phoenix Stakes on August 12th.

The Turf Club have selected their five nominations to the inaugural Horse Racing Ireland board. Ray Rooney, the Turf Club senior steward and Pierce Molony, the deputy senior steward, were elected at a meeting yesterday along with Roy Craigie, Michael Osborne and Valerie Cooper.

Nominations to the 12 strong board are expected to be lodged with the Department of Agriculture by the close of business tomorrow.

Gerry Desmond, the chairman of the Association of Irish Racecourses, was yesterday elected the racecourse nominee to the board.

The Breeders` Association will elect their representative today as will the owners. The trainers representative will be decided at a meeting tomorrow where the names of Willie Mullins, Michael Grassick and Jessica Harrington are expected to be put to ballot.

The season's top apprentice Pat Cosgrave and the 98-rated fully Alexander Express look the ideal combination to get punters off to a flyer at Naas this evening.

Aidan O'Brien has not been slow to use Naas as an introduction for some of his top two years, principally Giant's Causeway two years ago. Tonight, he unveils the Nureyev colt Stonemason in the six-furlong maiden and the Magnier-owned horse is sure to be a popular choice.

Mala Mala, beaten less than five lengths behind the Sussex Stakes hopefuls King Charlemagne and Mull Of Kintyre at the Curragh last time, is hard to oppose in the spring maiden.

West Tip, the hero of the 1986 Grand National, has died aged 24. Ridden by Richard Dunwoody to his famous success for trainer Michael Oliver, West Tip went on to finish fourth in the next two runnings of the race and Second in 1989 when firmly into the veteran stage of his career.

He then finished 10th in 1990 before being retired by owner Peter Luff.

A big, strong son of Gala Performance, West Tip was every inch the traditional steeplechaser.

Dunwoody, the winningmost jumps jockey in the history of British racing, paid tribute to the horse, saying: "I owe him an awful lot - no other horse contributed to my career like he did."

The 35-year-old Irishman rode 1,699 winners in Britain, becoming champion jockey three times, but was only 22 when West Tip won the National and the win marked an important stage in his recognition as a top rider.