John McConnell is weighing the options for Orgilgo Bay following his fine effort in defeat in the Coolmore Canford Cliffs Stakes.
Maiden an option for promising juvenile
John McConnell is considering the next move for Orgilgo Bay following his excellent effort in the Coolmore Canford Cliffs Stakes at Tipperary.
Narrowly beaten by Dibayani on his racecourse bow at the Curragh, the youngster stepped up to Listed class for his next appearance rather than going for a maiden and the move was fully justified.
Orgilgo Bay got the better of Dibayani, only to be relegated into second again, this time by the promising First Cornerstone.
"He ran a cracker. Unfortunately we ran into another smart one, but we were delighted with the run all the same," said McConnell.
In Trouble
"We had all of them bar the winner in trouble turning for home, but he still ran green and Gary (Carroll, jockey) felt he didn't really get racing until the winner had come by him.
"If we'd had a lead, maybe we'd have won, but I don't want to take anything away from Andrew Oliver's horse, who is obviously quite smart.
"The quandary now is whether to go back down to a maiden or go for another Listed race.
"There is a Listed race over a mile on Irish Champion Stakes day at Leopardstown, so that's quite tempting as he definitely wants at least a mile already.
"There is also a mile maiden at Killarney at the end of the month, so we'll probably go for one or the other of those.
"The horse has come out of the race very well and there is plenty to look forward to."
