It was a case of déjà vu as Ruler Of France repeated the front running tactics that carried him to a narrow success at Killarney last week when again coming out on the right side of a short-head verdict in the featured www.thetote.com Handicap at Ballinrobe.

Leigh Roche was aboard the Paddy Twomey owned and trained gelding in the kingdom six days ago but this time Killian Leonard got the fractions right up front.

The 7/1 shot was strongly pressed inside the final furlong, and only just held the late surge of Daredevil Day with Castle Guest a length further back in third.

Twomey said, “He toughed it out well. It was probably a big ask running three times in seven days but I felt he was in good form and I couldn’t see any reason not to run him.

“He could go to Galway, it depends how he comes out of this, and it looks more of an option now. I’d like to have a runner.”