The Sheila Lavery-trained Fort Vega stuck his head in front close home to prevail in a tight finish to the opening three-year-old maiden at Gowran Park this afternoon. Running Cool made a bold bid from the front in the seven-furlong contest and had his rivals at work early in the straight.

He was joined by both Saturn Seven and Fort Vega in the closing stages though and it was the latter who got the verdict in the last strides by a neck.

Saturn Seven was called runner-up, a short-head in front of the long-time leader.

10/3 winner Fort Vega was stepping forward from the promising comeback run at Limerick, when finishing a close third to Empty Metaphor.

Lavery said afterwards:- “Robbie said he was a little bit on top of his head over seven on that ground. A mile on that ground would be perfect.

“He’s a real nice colt but is still not anywhere near the finished article. He has some smart entries (Irish 2,000 Guineas) but I won’t lose the run of myself and we’ll sit down and decide where to go.

“I think like a lot of Lope De Vega’s he does need a bit of ease in the ground and that would be paramount.

“He’s a gorgeous, straight forward colt and you can do anything with him.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)