Aidan O'Brien's Homeland justified strong 1/3 favouritism to comfortably win the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden on his debut at Listowel today, winning under the trainer's son Joseph O'Brien.

The son of Gallileo was shaken up to lead a furlong out and from there was kept going under hands and heels, for a cosy win over fellow newcomer Spryt

O'Brien senior wasn't present but the winning jockey later stated “he's a nice colt and had been working nicely at home and I think he can progress with racing. He was quite green early on in the race and was on anc off the bride with me but when the penny dropped in the last furlong I was always comfortable I was holding Pat (Smullen on Spryt).”

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee