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Fresh off the back of a maiden Irish Derby success, Ryan Moore made sure his first visit to Roscommon was a winning one when Espionage proved far too good in the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Lenebane Stakes.
Espionage showed some high-class form in three runs as a juvenile and followed up a comfortable Curragh maiden success with a head second to Proud And Regal in the Group 1 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud on his third and final outing at two.
The Galileo colt, who was having his first start since October last year, seemingly relished the step up to 1m3 ½ f on his seasonal reappearance. He was always well positioned under Ryan Moore, who was making his first outing at Roscommon and quickened up smartly before stretching clear for a ready one-and-a-half length success.
Speaking with Racing TV's Johnny Ward after the victory, Moore said: "Look he had very good form as a two-year-old and it's just taken a while to get him back."
"I was delighted with him today. I thought it was a nice performance. There were a few things going on in the race that he's overcome."
"I think he's a quality colt that stays well."
"He was having to learn as he goes. It was his first run since October, but he had a good run in Saint-Cloud [Criterium International] and I was delighted with what he has done today."
When asked about the colt's preferable trip he added: "Look this was a mile three and a half [furlongs]. He got that well and I'd say he'd very comfortable at anywhere between ten and fourteen furlongs."