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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Tribes And Banner covers himself in glory

Thu 18th Jul 2013, 17:23

Tribes And Banner and John Cullen team up well at KillarneyTribes 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

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.