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Motherland romps home in Ballinrobe

Motherland in command at BallinrobeMotherland in command at Ballinrobe
© Photo Healy Racing

Motherland was very solid during the day for Ballinrobe's mile and five maiden and his supporters had very little to worry about as he hacked up in good style.

Joseph O'Brien 's Galileo colt was backed from 6/4 to 10/11 before racing but bookmakers at the track evidently set out to get him in their satchels as he opened at even money and drifted out to 5/4 on the off.

He stayed on for third in a mile and a quarter maiden at Roscommon earlier this month and was stepped up in trip for this evening's assignment.

Donnacha O'Brien, on board the favourite, tracked Lazio before asking his mount for his effort over two furlongs out.

The response was immediate as Motherland soon swept by Lazio and quickened away approaching the home turn. He drew further clear to hit the line seven lengths to the good. Sea Of Mystery (7/4) came through to take second by a couple of lengths from Lazio (33/1).

Donnacha O'Brien said: "He's a lovely horse - he's out of a good sprinter but he relaxes so well and has a good attitude and it means he has a turn of foot over that distance.

"He could make a nice stayer and is taking his racing well."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes

1st
5/4Fav
Tote €2.00 €1.02
2nd
7L
7/4
€1.50
3rd
2L
33/1
€6.30
4th
0.75L
6/1
About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.