Leopardstown's Brownstown Stakes: Key Runners and Insights There’s loads of quality racing action to enjoy this week and Leopardstown’s Thursday card provides a lovely mid-week treat. Their feature race is the Group 3 Brownstown Stakes and it’s open to fillies and mares aged three and upwards. Run over 7f, the last two winners have been three-year-olds but the younger generation have only won it four times in the last 10 years, suggesting that older horses have a small edge. A field of eight has been declared for Thursday’s race and we’ve picked out two of our strongest fancies to follow, including one mare who has already won a Group 3 over course and distance this term. Brownstown Stakes Tips Selection: Vera’s Secret Next Best: Chantez Coral Betting Offer If you already have a Coral account, check out more of the best betting sites and online casinos An open and shut case? Vera’s Secret is likely to be the popular choice and it’s easy to see why. She brings the best form to the race and could prove hard to beat. Three-year-old Chantez has failed to fire in two starts so far this season but her juvenile form suggests she’s more than capable of challenging. Bellaphina was well beaten on her only start in Listed company at Naas last summer and she was 18 lengths behind the winner. This sort of trip obviously suits better but it’s hard to make a case for her here, despite winning nicely in handicap company last time out. Bluedrum was a solid second in this race last year and that form gives her an each-way chance, but her two starts so far this season have been very underwhelming. Jessica Harrington’s four-year-old is hard to fancy with that in mind. Dance Night Andday is a solid performer in handicap company and she finished second to Bellaphina last time out. Ross O’Sullivan’s mare has historically also struggled in Listed and Group company and is best watched. Unbeaten filly Duckadilly shouldn’t be ignored, as she’s a bit of an unknown quantity. This is one of the few Irish Group races that Aidan O’Brien has failed to win but Easy Mover seems unlikely to rectify that situation. Temperance is also likely to struggle at this sort of level. Vera could be the secret to success John James Feane runs VERA’S SECRET here and the six-year-old has still had only the nine starts to date, making her very lightly raced. She is thriving so far this season and it would be unwise to rule out further improvement. Victorious in a Group 3 over course and distance first time out, her rivals never looked like catching her, as she was dominant throughout. This daughter of Epaulette made all the running under Seamie Heffernan and pulled easily clear to score by four lengths. Fourth behind the excellent Porta Fortuna next time, that Group 2 over a mile was much tougher than this race, so a return to winning ways is anticipated. She was her own worst enemy early on, racing too keenly, and the return to 7f is a big plus with that in mind. Chantez can feature if bouncing back Ger Lyons’ CHANTEZ was a talented two-year-old and her form from last season indicates that she’s more than capable of making the frame at least. She finished second on her debut over course and distance last season, and the winner went on to score at Group 3 level while the fourth home that day won the Rockfel Stakes. Chantez went one better in good style next time and followed that up with a Listed success at the expense of Ribblesdale Stakes winner Garden Of Eden. Two disappointing efforts this season have impacted her reputation and she was well beaten by Vera’s Secret when last seen. Lyons’ filly deserves another chance or two and it’s never wise to rule out a daughter of Wootton Bassett.
