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