Byron primed for repeat Sprint Cup success

Gordon Lord Byron looks decent value to topple the mighty Sole Power and the Group 1 Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock today (3.50) for the second year running.

Trained in ireland by Tom Hogan, the six-year-old ran out an impressive winner 12 months ago when forging clear to beat Slade Power by three lengths.

The runner-up has since gone on to develop into one of the best sprinters in Europe this season, winning the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee at Ascot and the Gorup 1 July Cup at Newmarket.
That gives the form a rock solid look, and Gordon Lord Byron traditionally comes good at this time of the year.

The gelding certainly looked to be coming right back to his best when beaten a nose by Jamesie last time out at the Curragh when not getting the the best of runs, and that was just Gordon Lord Byron’s second run of the season.

It should have put the son of Byron spot on, and his handler is sure to have him primed to the minute to defend his crown.

Another plus is that Gordon Lord Gyron is a proven 6f performer, unlike market leader Sole Power who is yet to win in seven starts over the trip.

To me that makes the favourite worth taking on, despite the fact he is one of the best sprinters seen for many a year and has been in the form of his life this season.

The Edward Lynam trained gelding is unbeaten in three UK starts this year, winning the Group 3 palace House Stakes at Newmarket before going on to land Group 1 successes in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Nunthorpe at York.

The seven-year-old could not have been more impressive in the latter when given an ultra-cool ride by Richard Hughes to overcome all sorts of trouble in running before producing a devastating turn of foot to beat Stepper Point by 1/2 a length.

Sole Power was value for much more than the winning margin, and his hold-up style makes him the ideal partner for Hughes.

The big question is whether Sole Power can be as effective over today’s extra furlong, and his record suggests that he will struggle despite the fact that the son of Kyllachy ran well over it last December when runner-up in the Hong Kong Sprint.