Glory Boy takes the adulation at Listowel

Glory Boy came through in the final half furlong to collar Ruler Of France and win by half a length in the seven furlong two-year-old maiden at Listowel.

The Dermot Weld-trained juvenile went off at 2/1, after a pleasing introduction at Leopardstown where he finished third to Focus On Venice on April 14, having ran short of room there.

Ruler Of France, who was second at Limerick on debut for David Wachman and Wayne Lordan, was the evens ‘jolly’ for the same pair and looked booked for a win when he saw off Gone Viral at the furlong pole. However, Glory Boy took the plaudits.

The Ballydoyle newcomer Friendship kept on nicely for third under Joseph O’Brien at 7/2, beaten three lengths.

Winning Jockey Pat Smullen said: “He gave me a hard time early on as he was quite keen, but he stuck at it well on testing conditions.

“He was a shade unlucky at Leopardstown. Having had a run is a huge help round here.”

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes