Spanish Tenor and Billy Lee are clear of their rivals in the closing stages© Photo Healy Racing
Spanish Tenor ran out a good winner of the opener at Cork, the Coolmore Most Improved Maiden, as he justified favouritism under Billy Lee.
Fifth on his debut at Roscommon in August, the son of Lope De Vega progressed nicely from that run, finishing second on his next start at the Curragh last month.
Having opened at 11/4 on-course, the Tim Doyle trained chestnut colt eventually went off the 2/1 market leader in the familiar silks of Jim Monaghan.
After tracking the leader in second, the winner travelled smoothly to lead two furlongs out, and he kept on well from there, going on to score easily by three and a quarter lengths.
Newcomer Clongowes finished second under Kevin Manning for Jim Bolger at 9/4, while The Statesman (11/2) was another three and a half lengths back in third under Ana O'Brien for her father Aidan.
Tim Doyle said afterwards: "It was a good performance and he has done nothing wrong and has had three smashing runs. He's getting better with each run and Billy (Lee) was impressed with him.
"That's either it now or he'll run in the Killavullen Stakes at Leopardstown. I'll see how he is next Monday or Tuesday and the entries close on Tuesday. He always looked a good horse and his runs are showing that. He's in the 2,000 Guineas - we were brave earlier in the year!
"He handles soft like all the Lope De Vega's and while he wouldn't want it on the quick side, good to yielding wouldn't be a problem."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
