The ‘Tote Backing Your Team’ pilot races ended in appropriate fashion last Saturday at Gowran Park as the Always The Experts syndicate enjoyed their first racecourse success. Lucky Phil landed the spoils for connections on her fifteenth time of asking to lose her maiden tag. The Kerry owned filly had shown plenty of promise on her previous starts and the syndicates patience was duly rewarded as she ran out the three-length winner in deteriorating conditions.

Connections are sure to enjoy plenty more track success with Lucky Phil as she looks to be campaigned over jumps and on the level next season.

Saturday’s race was the last of three trial races confined to syndicate and racing club owned horses which saw a total of 27 horses run with all owners enjoying complimentary hospitality at each of the track’s, courtesy of the Ownership Department, Horse Racing Ireland.

Speaking on the back of the initiative Ownership Executive Caroline Townend commented: “We couldn’t have asked for a better story than Saturdays to round off on. The feedback from trainers and connections has been very encouraging. Again, we would like to thank everyone who supported each of the races.”