A quick prune of the upward shoots on your espalier keeps things fruitful and promotes fresh shoots.
Go along each branch and reduce long upward shoots back to 2 or 3 buds. How simple is that.
Where there is a cluster of shoots, thin them out leaving about 20cm between each one. Completely remove the puny ones, the enormous ones and those heading in the wrong direction. A cluster can be a result of big cuts the year before. Changes how you prune knowing this, aye.
Keep up with this job over the summer. With seceteurs in pocket you’re ready to head back any long shoots as you see them.
Chop the healthy prunings up and lay them at the base of the tree. While you’re down there notice if there are any suckers coming away from the rootstock and prune those off too.
Job tidy. Beer o’clock.