5:55 Leopardstown
The 5:55 Leopardstown brings a small but select field of six for the 2026 XIN GIN Irish EBF Brownstown Stakes, a fillies' and mares' Group 3 over 7f50y on good to firm ground. With KTB Fit Scores tightly bunched between 57 and 41, the race looks competitive on paper and should test both proven course performers and those stepping up in class. The numbers highlight useful rather than top-class ability across the board, with several runners unproven on the surface and others carrying first-time headgear.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape points to a steadily run affair with no obvious front-runner among the six. Phenomenal Filly from stall one and Bella Isabella drawn in two are both likely to track the pace or race prominently, while Fingerpaint from the outside stall six may be held up off the early speed. The key question is whether the race develops into a test of class late on or if the headgear and draw can swing things in favour of one of the less exposed runners.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Bella Isabella57/100Useful performer who has won twice at this trip including once at Leopardstown from four runs here.
- 2Fingerpaint KTB Selection57/100Useful sort who showed smart form as a 3 year old but has not built on that this year.
- 3Phenomenal Filly56/100Phenomenal Filly is a useful filly who showed steady improvement last season and finished with a win at this track over today's trip.
- 4Chantez55/100Useful performer who has won twice at this track and twice at today's trip.
- 5Duckadilly53/100Duckadilly is a useful performer on his day with a recent win on soft ground at this trip.
- 6Nancy J41/100Nancy J has shown little spark in two runs this season and her recent form figures of 583-04 suggest she is vulnerable in a race of this calibre.
The contenders
Bella Isabella KTB Fit 57/100
Bella Isabella arrives as a useful performer with two wins at this trip, one of them gained at Leopardstown from her four runs at the track. She showed her best form this season by landing a handicap over today's distance on her most recent start, though she remains unproven on good to firm ground. The trainer holds a 17% strike rate at Leopardstown from a large sample with an A/E of 0.92, while the jockey's 8% strike rate from 1201 rides carries an A/E of 0.79. Both have solid if unspectacular records here and the mare's course win adds to her appeal in a race where she should be suited by the trip.
Fingerpaint KTB Fit 57/100
Fingerpaint is a useful sort who displayed smart form as a three-year-old but has not built on that this season, with form figures of 137-7. Dropping back from a mile to a trip over which she has won is a positive, and first-time headgear is another interesting move as she bids to rediscover her best. The trainer and jockey combination has solid records at Leopardstown, with the trainer on 17% and the jockey on 14%. She was well held when last seen here from one previous run at the track, yet the KTB Fit Score of 57 matches the top rating and she remains a key player.
Phenomenal Filly KTB Fit 56/100
Phenomenal Filly is a useful filly who showed steady improvement last season and rounded off with a win at this track over today's trip from her sole course visit. She has the benefit of a good draw in stall one and a positive record on this ground, with one win from one run on good to firm. The trainer posts a strong 26% strike rate at Leopardstown with an A/E of 1.13 from 77 runs, though the jockey's 8% strike rate from 838 rides shows an A/E of 0.81. Her progressive profile and course success make her a major contender despite being only three.
Chantez KTB Fit 55/100
Chantez is a useful performer with two wins at this track and two at today's trip from five runs here. Her recent form is a bit patchy and she now tries first-time headgear, while the yard and jockey both have modest strike rates at Leopardstown. The trainer is on 11% with an A/E of 0.81 from 1166 runs and the jockey is on 7% with an A/E of 0.85 from 621 rides. Ground looks fine on the evidence of one placing from one run on good to firm, and her course record of two wins from five starts keeps her firmly in the mix.
The rest of the field
DuckadillyKTB Fit 53/100
Duckadilly is a useful performer on his day with a recent win on soft ground at this trip, yet he has shown little at Leopardstown in three runs and the trainer remains winless from 14 attempts at the track. Dropping back from a mile looks the right move but the good to firm ground and modest course record both count against him.
Nancy JKTB Fit 41/100
Nancy J has shown little spark in two runs this season and her recent form figures of 583-04 suggest she is vulnerable in a race of this calibre. She is a fair performer who has won at this trip and on this ground but her record at Leopardstown is ordinary, while the yard and jockey both have modest strike rates here.
KTB verdict
The KTB Selection is Fingerpaint. She showed smart form as a three-year-old, is dropping back to a trip she has won over, and first-time headgear is an interesting addition that could help her bounce back to her best. The trainer and jockey both have solid records at Leopardstown and her KTB Fit Score of 57 is joint-top. The main dangers are Phenomenal Filly, who won here over the trip last season from a good draw and with a positive record on the ground, and Bella Isabella, who landed a handicap over this distance last time and has a Leopardstown win on her CV. Chantez cannot be ruled out either given her course record.
KTB Selection Fingerpaint
This is the narrative read of the 5:55 Leopardstown. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Leopardstown racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has won over course and distance before?
Bella Isabella has won twice at this trip including once at Leopardstown from four runs here.
Who is the only horse with a proven record on good to firm ground?
Phenomenal Filly has 1 win from 1 on good to firm and 1 placed.
Which runners are trying headgear for the first time?
Fingerpaint and Chantez are both wearing first-time headgear.
What is the trainer's strike rate at Leopardstown for the yard of the selection?
The trainer has a 17% strike rate at Leopardstown with an A/E of 0.92 from 3157 runs.
Which horse has the strongest trainer record at the track among the principals?
Phenomenal Filly's trainer holds a 26% strike rate at Leopardstown with an A/E of 1.13 from 77 runs.
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