Ruler Of France showed no ills effects of his defeat at Killarney yesterday when winning the The Celtic Steps The Show At Killarney Racecourse Rated Race at Killarney today, under an enterprising front-running ride from jockey Leigh Roche.

Roche sent the son of Holy Roman Emperor to the front in his customary front-running style but today was well clear on the gelding from an early stage. With two furlongs to race, the pair were still well clear and while the gelding did tie-up in the closing stages, held on for a ‘on the nod’ short head win over 8/13 favourite Mr Right

Winning owner/trainer Paddy Twomey was thrilled with the winning ride and later remarked “Leigh seemed to use his head and gave him a very good ride and the horse seemed to put his head down and try there.”

For his part, Roche added “he jumps and makes it on most of his runs. I previously rode Whatuthink to win with similar tactics at Leopardstown but that’s my went first doing that around here.

“He had top weight here last night but with General Macarthur coming out we thought we had a decent chance. We probably got through the ground better than the rest and I thought when Ronan (Whelan on Mr Right) came to me, my lad put his head down and went on again. At the line I thought we were done with the bob of the head though.”

By Tom Weekes