November Handicap preview

John McConnell is optimistic the mile-and-seven trip will eke a bit more improvement from out of Orgilgo Bay in the ultra-competitive November Handicap at Leopardstown today.

The talented four-year-old gelding finished third in the Fred Winter at this year's Cheltenham Festival and recently occupied the same position at Punchestown, having previously won a nice prize at Listowel.

Thoughts now turn to the €60,000 first prize for the November Handicap, in which he races off a mark of 90 in the hands of Gary Carroll.

McConnell said: "He's dropped a good bit from his two-year-old rating, though that was probably a bit elevated.

"It's a new trip for him and we are hoping it brings about some improvement. He has come out of his Punchestown race very well.

"He's probably better than he was before it. We've just had him ticking over since. We've had this in mind for him, it just fitted in.

"I always wanted to try and have a go at a Flat handicap with him. This is the acid test.

"He's had excuses the times he has run disappointingly in Leopardstown before, but I've no concerns about the track.

"I know he runs well left-handed. We'll need luck in-running. There are very good yards represented.

"We've no firm plans after Sunday. He'll have a break coming and, depending on how Sunday goes, I would say it's unlikely you would see him before Christmas.

"The County Hurdle is an option and there are plenty of good races for him in February, March and April." Coolfighter has been in terrific form, rattling off a four-timer before finishing second at Gowran Park and at Fairyhouse.

Trainer Noel Dooly said: "I think he'll get the trip. A mile and two in Clonmel was plenty short for him and he was staying on over a mile and a half last time.

"We'll be riding him to get the trip. We will run him, but the ground is not ideal.

"It's his last run on the Flat for the year. He might go to Cheltenham's November meeting over hurdles. We'll see how he gets on.

"We don't do too much with him at home as he would run flat then. He has a bit of work done as he was due to run in Naas and didn't get in."

Sir Michael Stoute sends Stomachion across the Irish Sea.

Billy Lee will sport the Niarchos family colours on the four-year-old, who stayed on strongly to win the Mallard Stakes over this trip at Doncaster in September.

English interests are also spiked by the presence of Albert Bridge trained by Ralph Beckett and ridden by Silvestre de Sousa.

Last year's winner Sir Ector comes back for more.

Johnny Murtagh rode him to victory 12 months ago, but he has joined the training ranks so Ronan Whelan takes the mount for James Lambe.

Murtagh now has his own runner in Eye Of The Tiger who finished well down the field in the Irish Cesarewitch a fortnight ago.

Dermot Weld is double-handed with Hidden Universe and Hisaabaat while Arthur Moore's Gentleman Duke is on a hat-trick after victories in a Ballinrobe handicap hurdle and a handicap chase at Cork.

Champion jumps trainer Willie Mullins is responsible for Digeanta and Clondaw Warrior with Aidan O'Brien represented by Blue Hussar