JOHN Feane won the featured Group 3 Xin Gin Irish EBF Brownstown Stakes (Fillies & Mares) at Leopardstown on Thursday with Vera’s Secret.

Sent off 11/8 favourite, the Jim Browne-owned six-year-old made all under Seamie Heffernan and held off Dance Night Andday, who ran on well in the final furlong, to win by a neck.

Off the mark at the Curragh last July, the daughter of Epaulette landed a decent pot on her first visit to Leopardstown on Champions Weekend last September and was well-supported to resume winning ways here.

Feane said: “It was lovely to get her to win again. Chantez took her on early and they were going good fractions. In fairness to that filly, she kept at it to finish third. Seamus thought our filly was idling in the last furlong.

“He said she knew where the winning post was, which was nice. She did a lot of running today, it was a nice performance.”

Plan works out

Vera’s Secret holds an entry in the Matron Stakes and, when asked if she could take up that entry, he said: “Possibly, we’ll see.”

Sounds Like A Plan won the BoyleSports ‘Pick Your Place’ Handicap for Andy Oliver and Chris Hayes.

Owned by Francis Campbell, the grey son of Night Of Thunder was stepping up from sprint trips for the first time and the 13/2 chance stayed on strongly close home to beat favourite Bonus Time by half a length.

Oliver commented afterwards: “That’s great, Chris gave him a lovely ride and it more or less went to plan.

“He saw out the trip well. He’s out of a very fast mare, and he works like a fast horse at home, so you never quite know. We thought we’d start him off over six this year and he had a very nice run at Fairyhouse.

“His run at Naas was a bit of a puzzle to us, but he possibly bounced on the second run after the long lay-off.

“We decided to step him up in trip and he worked very well at the start of the week, so we thought we were in fair shape coming into today. He hit the line fairly hard there so you’d like to think you have plenty of options. Ground-wise he’s fairly versatile as well.

“That’s quick ground but as always here it’s very safe. He handled that well and he can also go with a little bit of ease.”

Slieve Binnian brings another big pot home for Marnane

SLIEVE Binnian followed up his Curragh win on Derby weekend when landing the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Nasrullah Handicap.

Tracking the pace throughout, Luke McAteer went second in pursuit of leader Mississippi River over a furlong out. Slieve Binnian quickened up smartly to score, following up his turf victory at the Curragh last month, off 5lb higher in this hotly-contested handicap.

Trained by David Marnane, the 6/1 chance led over 150 yards out, going right away to win by a length and three-quarters under Luke McAteer.

Marnane said of the Paul Rooney-owned grey: “It’s not very often you get to win two €100,000 handicaps one after another. He’s a lovely horse, very professional. We thought this was his trip and we fancied him, we thought he’d run a big race.

“We thought in the Curragh that he idled a little bit in front. A couple of people were saying that some horses were finishing well, but I just think he idled a little bit. We made sure that we had him coming home today.

“He gave him a great ride and it was a good bit of placing by Ed (brother). I’d love to bring him to Galway. It would be a tough feat, but I think he would suit the place. He’s got gate speed and stays.

“He’ll handle a bit of ease in the ground as well if there is a slight ease there. A big thank you to Mick Halford too, we were very lucky to get him. His mum passed away yesterday.”

Phenomenal

In the opening race, Billy Lee made all on the Paddy Twomey-trained Phenomenal Filly to win the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.

Sent off 5/2, following a staying-on fifth at the Curragh on her introduction last month, the daughter of Sioux Nation put that experience to good use in a field that mostly comprised of newcomers.

The Bond Thoroughbred Limited owner winner stayed on strongly to score by a length and a quarter.

Twomey said: “She came forward from her debut. She’s a nice filly and I’m delighted with that. She won a Goffs bonus today, which is even better.

“She was green there 12 days ago and she’s come forward plenty. She’s in the Lowther, she qualifies for the Goffs Million and that might look like a good fit for her at the moment.”

MALLAVELLY led home a Ger Lyons-trained 1-2 in the Bulmers Live At Leopardstown Handicap. James Ryan led over 100 yards out on the 8/1 chance, holding the late run of Pier Pressure by half a length.

Lyons reported: “She ran in Limerick the last day and they over-watered, so the ground wasn’t as described. You can see the difference tonight. It worked out well there. That’s her, she’s at her level and she doesn’t kill herself.

“That’s her second for me. She’s a fine filly and it’s grand for David (Spratt, owner). I don’t think there is any more in her, but we’ll keep doing that kind of thing and take what we can get.”

Laura Hourigan enjoyed a rare Leopardstown success as Unterberg landed the Irish Champions Festival Handicap.

Wayne Hassett led over a furlong out on the 15/2 chance, keeping on strongly to win by three lengths for owners Novum Racing Club.

Twice a winner at Dundalk over the winter of 2023/24, the six-year-old belied a poor record on turf with an emphatic success under one of last year’s leading apprentices.

Hourigan said: “He’s back into the 60s there but he’ll be gone out of it again after today. Wayne knew him after the last day and I’m delighted with that. I wouldn’t be used to coming into the winners’ enclosure up here.

Getting there

“He won twice in Dundalk and he’s been knocking on the door on the grass as well but just not getting there. I got him out of Ger Lyons’ and they were very good, they told me everything about him.

“He’s done what they said he would do. He’ll be in the 70s now again but we can’t complain, we’ll take the win today.”

Joe on the go

Gentleman Joe made all under John Gleeson to win the concluding Hurling For Cancer Research Supported By Centra On 18th August (Q.R.) Race.

Trained by Henry de Bromhead, the 5/2 chance kept on well to win by half a length for the Acheson family.

Gleeson reported: “I’m delighted, it’s nice to get another winner on him. He’s a lovely horse and has a good, honest, attitude.

“It was very straightforward. In a small-runner field, he enjoyed it lobbing away out in front.

“It was a nice performance by him. It’s quick ground out there ,but he handles it.”