Homeland and Joseph O Brien, left, beat Spryt© Photo Healy Racing
Aidan O'Brien's juvenile Homeland got his racecourse career off to the best possible start with a cosy victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Listowel.
A lot was expected of the Ballydoyle newcomer judging by his starting price of 1-3 favourite, and the son of Galileo won comfortably enough once the penny dropped.
Joseph O'Brien pushed him up to challenge the front-running Spryt a quarter of a mile out and though he took a while to get on top, he always looked to be doing enough as he passed the post half a length in front.
There was a thrilling finish to the www.listowelraces.ie Median Auction Maiden and it fell to the Jessie Harrington-trained Bribe The Bouncer in the hands of Shane Foley.
The 6-1 shot looked to have plenty to do entering the closing stages as The Scourge got the better of favourite Intense Debate in a rousing duel, but the front two were tiring and Bribe The Bouncer swept up to them in the shadow of the post and won by a nose.
Paul Deegan's 7-2 joint-favourite Talitha Kum put in an extraordinary display to win the Follow Listowel Races On Facebook Handicap under Chris Hayes, losing many lengths at the start but passing the entire field to storm clear for a three-length victory.
Rory Cleary slipped into a big lead on the Terence O'Brien-trained Ballyadam Brook in the Croom House Stud Handicap and the 20-1 shot had just enough in the locker to hold on by a short head as Hisaabaat emerged from the pack to put in a sustained run.
The frustrating Beau Satchel (4-1) rewarded connections for their patience by winning at Cork last time and Ado McGuinness's four-year-old defied a 10lb ratings hike to take the St John's Literary Centre Handicap, swooping late under Declan McDonogh to score by a length.< Princess Tamay (12-1) led off the final bend and cleared away to take the George Fitzmaurice Handicap under Colin Keane, while Finny Maguire got his father Adrian's MM Dazzler (16-1) up close home in the Bryan MacMahon (QR) Race.
