Such was Tribes And Banner s authority in the Christmas Party Packages At Dundalk Apprentice Handicap (div 1) that Conor Hoban could switch him around half the field and still win. Once in the clear the successful seven-year-old son of Bob's Return quickened up impressively to beat Mutasareb by two and a quarter lengths.

A course winner, Tribes And Banner made his ground from towards the rear in the straight. He didn't get a run from the quarter mile pole but once brought to the outer he took off in the final furlong.

Charlie Swan trains Tribes And Banner for the Kill Be Canty Syndicate and he said: "They went no great gallop but he showed more pace today than I think he's ever shown.

"He likes good ground. I was going to run him over fences but we'd have to go to England really with him to get his ground." (AM & EM)