Tribes And Banner and John Cullen team up well at Killarney© Photo Healy Racing
Tribes And Banner took full advantage of a hurdles rating some 31lbs lower than his chasing mark of 147 to win the featured Dawn Milk Run Handicap Hurdle at Killarney.
This was the nine-year-old’s 10th victory in a career now spanning 49 races on the flat, over hurdles and in steeplechases.
The 13/2 shot was driven out by John Cullen after the last to keep Anoosou (8/1) at bay by two lengths. Tribes And Banner had travelled nicely into this two mile one race and was on terms three out before Cullen got to work on him.
Charlie Swan trains Tribes And Banner and he said: “He was a bit better in than his chase mark. He jumped a bit big the last day after running over fences, but I thought he would come on from it.
“He stays really well nowadays and John gets on really well with him. He’s got a great pair of hands and he switches him off. He can be very free at home.
"It's unlikely he'll get into the race but if he does he'll run in the Galway Hurdle. If not he could run in a two mile five handicap hurdle on the Saturday at Galway." Takeyourcapoff was strongly fancied to deliver for Jessica Harrington as she was well supported this morning from 5/1 to 3/1 and went off the 2/1 favourite. However, once headed in the straight she weakened to finish last of the eight runners.
The winner paid almost 17/2 on the Tote.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
