Classy Porta Fortuna the standout on return in the Lanwades Stud Stakes - but will a lack of race-fitness tell?

Porta Fortuna won three Group 1s in a spectacular campaign last year and is the class act in the field as she makes her seasonal debut.

Donnacha O'Brien’s star filly has to shoulder a 3lb penalty for those top-level wins, but she is at least 10lb superior to any of her rivals on official ratings.

Although she faces some race-fit opponents, a neck second on her reappearance last season in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket offers sufficient evidence she is capable of overcoming the absence. Should she fail, there are a host of rivals poised to take advantage.

Jancis has something to find with the top-rated filly after they clashed in the Matron Stakes last September. Porta Fortuna came home in front that day leaving Jancis languishing in eighth. 

Before that, though, Willie McCreery's filly had won the Group 3 Brownstown Stakes in fine style and she warmed up for this assignment when a half-length second in a Listed race at Gowran Park three weeks ago.

One Look and Vera’s Secret both won Group 3s on their reappearances last time. The former, who won a Listed race and had some decent placed efforts last year, seems to have improved again over the winter given her most recent performance. She pulled comfortably clear in the Park Express Stakes and could have more to come with fitness on her side. 

Vera’s Secret’s sole win last year was a valuable Leopardstown handicap from a mark of 83. She stepped up markedly on that form two weeks ago when gaining Group-race success by four lengths. 

Birthe makes her stable debut for Joseph O’Brien and has run well at Pattern level in France, including winning a Longchamp Group 2 last May over 1m2f. She is trying the mile trip for the first time, so that would be of concern. 

Fortuna favours the brave

Porta Fortuna won three of her five starts last season, all of them Group 1s, although defeats bookended her season.

She began losing by a neck in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket and ended with a below-par effort in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Del Mar when she found no luck in running. In between those disappointments were three quality wins against her own sex and she proved to be a very dependable filly.

Porta Fortuna: a Royal Ascot winner last yearCredit: Patrick McCann

This race will tee her up for a tilt at becoming a three-time winner at Royal Ascot in the Queen Anne Stakes next month for which she is a best priced 12-1 with William Hill. 

O’Brien said of his stable star: "She's wintered well and her preparation has been good. She'll probably improve a bit for this fitness wise, but we're looking forward to getting her started and I think she'll run a nice race."

What they say

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Birthe
She's having her first run for us and a mile would appear to be on the short side, but it's a nice starting point. Hopefully it sets her up for a good season and she will probably step up in trip as we progress.

Willie McCreery, trainer of Jancis
She ran a lovely race at Gowran on her return. This is a tough ask but you won't win it at home. Vera's Secret will probably go a good gallop, so it'll be a stiff test which would suit over this trip. The ground should suit as long as too much rain doesn't come.

Paddy Twomey, trainer of One Look
We were very happy with the way she won the Park Express on her reappearance. This is a step up in grade and we're looking forward to it.

John James Feane, trainer of Vera’s Secret
She won well the last day. This is a step up in grade but she's in great form and came out of Leopardstown well.

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