RYAN Moore was the star of the show at Roscommon on Tuesday evening as he travelled to the midlands course for the first time and punters got the result they wanted when his mount landed the listed featured Lenebane Stakes on Espionage.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained son of Galileo was making his first start since being narrowly denied in Group 1 company in France last October and went to post an 11/10 shot on his return.

Moore tracked the leaders on the hotpot in the extended mile-and-three-furlong contest but found himself in a bit of a pocket early in the straight.

His mount got into the clear to challenge a furlong from home and hit the front inside the final 150 yards. He was going away late on to beat long-time leader Young Ireland by a length and a half.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said afterwards: “It’s great to get him back and great to have Ryan here to have a sit on him.

“He’s a horse that Aidan has given plenty of time to come to hand and he’s really strengthened up physically.

“Ryan gave him a lovely ride and he was very impressed by him. He’s a horse for a mile and a quarter or a mile and a half.

“We’ll probably look at something like the (Great) Voltigeur (Stakes) from here.”

Present for Prendergast

PROFIT Refused gave trainer Kevin Prendergast an early birthday present when landing the opening auction series maiden on the card.

The veteran handler reached his 91st birthday on Wednesday and was on course to see his Profitable filly justify a short price.

Chris Hayes bounced out in front on the 5/6 shot but she was headed after a couple of furlongs by the free-running Megarry.

She regained the lead a furlong and a half from home and stayed on well in the closing stages to beat that rival by a length and three-quarters.

“She’s a nice filly, she ran very green and I’d say she should improve a good bit on that,” said Prendergast.

“She likes fast ground and there was a bit of a dig in it today. Hopefully before the end of the year she can get a bit of blacktype.”

Lyons and Carroll at the double

GER Lyons and Gary Carroll teamed up to record a double on the card as Gypsy Woman proved too strong for her rivals when making all in the three-year-old fillies maiden.

Carroll asked the 4/5 shot for an effort passing the two-furlong pole and she stretched clear in the closing stages for a five-and-a-half length win in the colours of Clipper Logistics.

Assistant Shane Lyons said: “It was very straightforward and she did what we expecting her to do. She was entitled to do that on her last couple of runs.

“She loves that ground. She’s a work in progress and is still filling into her frame. She’ll be a lovely filly for the backend and for next year.”

Mr King completed the brace when landing the Dermot Hughes Car Sales Handicap for owners Newtown Anner Stud.

Hitting the front

The Kingman colt raced prominently in the 10-furlong contest before hitting the front passing the two pole.

The 9/2 shot kept on well in the closing stages to record a half-length win over Picture Of A City.

Shane Lyons said: “He’s just filling into himself and is work in progress. We gelded him after his Gowran Park run and then ran him back quick. He’s a horse that, mentally, has to mature.

“That’s the last time you’ll see him over a mile-and-two. Gary said they just went too slow and he’ll love a true run race, which would suggest he’ll like a better race, over a mile and a half.”

Changed

The 10-furlong Sweeney Oil Handicap was another race where the complexion changed late on.

The Peter Fahey-trained Soaring Monarch also swooped from the rear when coming between horses to lead close home under Ronan Whelan and record a half-length win at odds of 17/2. “He’s a nice horse and everything had been going well with him all year,” said Fahey.

“Basil (Holian) is from Galway so going on there is a bit of a plan with him. It was a good run and the step up in trip definitely helped him.”

Dandy strikes on Independence Day

MANHATTAN Dandy sported the US colours for an Independence Day win as he rewarded connections patience with victory in the second division of the Guinness Apprentice Handicap.

Robert Whearty led over a furlong from home on the 12/1 shot and the Thomas Coyle-trained gelding stayed on well to record a half-length win over Leviosa in the seven-furlong heat.

It was his first career success on his 43rd start and Coyle said: “I’m delighted for the syndicate as they have kept faith, well most of them!

“He ran very consistently last year but just didn’t get the breaks at times. The horse deserved it more than anything.

Favourite

“He’s kind of like a pet at home, he’s a favourite. I’m delighted for the lads to get a win and hopefully he can build from this.”

In the first division of the race Barnhill Rose edged a tight finish to hold Emorcee by a short-head at the line.

Siobhan Rutledge led early in the straight on the Mayson filly and Denis Hogan’s charge was all out late on to hold on.

“She was tough, in fairness to her, very genuine. I think her optimum trip is probably a mile and Denis said to be good and handy on her and make it a staying match. Thankfully she stayed,” said Rutledge.

Stamina

Another winner whose stamina proved the difference was Glan in the concluding Colm Markey, MEP, Supporting Roscommon Maiden.

Gordon Elliott’s charge was towards the rear early in the extended mile-and-three contest but got going late, under Declan McDonogh, to lead in the closing stages for a half-length win over Banned.

The 9/2 winner, owned by J.P. McManus, had to survive a stewards’ inquiry having come across the third horse, stablemate Ash Tree Meadow, late on. McDonogh received a one-day ban for careless riding.

“I couldn’t go early, we were going a really hot pace so I just left her comfortable and came home strong,” said the winning rider.

“She’s a nice filly, she was a bit green in the finish and just rolled in near the line.”