The McAuliffe family celebrate Drombeg Banner's victory© Photo Healy Racing
Up 10lb for last month's Cork win, the 10/3 favourite Drombeg Banner was a gutsy winner of the Irish Racing Writers Handicap.
Billy Lee 's mount was always prominent in a group of six that stayed far side and dug deep to see off the strong challenge of Thunder Eclipse by a short head. Poppy Petal did best of those on the stands' side, which had seemed to be the best place to be in earlier sprints, and was a length and a half further away in third.
Winning trainer Ken Condon said: “A hundred yards down he was definitely headed and to his credit he battled back.
“He's a good horse that's still learning about sprinting. I was just a bit worried about six today, as he goes along I'd say five will end up his optimum.
“He's a progressive three-year-old sprinter that's going to make into a stakes horse.
“We'll give him a chance as he's had a hard race there but it's very pleasing how willing and honest he is.
“He's got a very high cruising speed and was very comfortable most of the way but when he had to battle he really did.
“There is the Junefest (premier handicap) on June 1st at the Curragh, we might have a look and see what the handicapper says but I would think his future will probably be in stakes company now.
“It's great for the McAuliffe family. Phil is the owner/breeder and his wife Alice and the sons Cian and Cathal are all here. It's a great family occasion and they'll get a big boost out of that.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
