In foal Philly strikes in finale On a day that produced some cracking finishes Philly's Hope was another game winner in a tight finish to the finale at Gowran. There were plenty in with chances in the straight in the extended nine furlong contest and James Ryan produced his mount to dispute passing the furlong marker. The Tom McCourt-trained filly fought it out with Chimeric in the closing stages and had a head to spare over that rival at the line. The 16/1 winner had been well beaten on her most recent start at Naas having been in the money on three runs prior to that. Ryan said afterwards:- “She has been knocking on the door for a while. She got out well today and got into a nice position. She came home well. “I’m delighted for all the owners, Hugh (O’Brien) and all the lads. She’s in foal to Belardo so I think that might be her last run.” (Quotes by Alan Magee)
