Lad Lands November Honours

Athlumney Lad sprung a minor surprise as he claimed the final major race of the Irish season, the November Handicap at Leopardstown.

Trainer Noel Meade is currently carrying all before him in the world of National Hunt racing, but Athlumney Lad and third-placed Orbit O'Gold demonstrated his talents on the level admirably.

The latter was sent off the 9-4 favourite and certainly appeared to be the stable first-string with Johnny Murtagh aboard but it was Athlumney Lad (16-1) who proved too strong for his 13 rivals under Wayne Lordan.

Orbit O'Gold appeared to be travelling best of all with two furlongs to run but met with interference causing Murtagh to snatch up.

Athlumney Lad kept on well under pressure though to hold Dermot Weld's Majestic Concorde by a neck, with Orbit O'Gold two and a half lengths back in third.

The eight-year-old winner had been hurdling recently but after landing over 30,000 euros for his connections, Meade stated he will be kept to the Flat now.

Meade said: 'This horse won't go jumping anymore as he just wasn't enjoying it. That is it for him on the Flat this season though.'

The consistent Lord Admiral (4-1) scored for only the fourth time in his long career when taking the Knockaire Stakes.

Charles O'Brien's six-year-old has been highly-tried during his career but dropped to Listed company over seven furlongs, Mick Kinane was able to strike for home a furlong out and hold Excelerate by a length.

O'Brien trains Lord Admiral for his father, the legendary trainer Vincent, and his wife Jacqueline picked up the trophy.

'We were going to go to America with him a month ago but he scoped dirty,' said the handler.

'We might think about Dubai now, although it was more competitive this year and will be even more so next year.'

Aidan O'Brien's Alessandro Volta made most of the running to win the Eyrefield Stakes in fine style and complete a double for the yard.

The 6-4 favourite had shown promise on his first two starts and put that experience to good use when winning the Listed race by two lengths.

O'Brien claimed the prize last year with subsequent Derby runner Anton Chekhov and Alessandro Volta was introduced at 33-1 by William Hill for next year's Epsom showpiece.

'I was impressed with him today,' said winning rider Seamus Heffernan.

'I like him and he has a good attitude. We were a bit disappointed at Navan last time where they went a slower pace but he's getting there now.'

Heffernan and O'Brien also claimed the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden with Halfway To Heaven (9-10 favourite).

(C) PA Sport