SPRINT CUP - GORDON LORD BYRON

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/article/465/9441357/gordon-lord-byron-primed-for-cup-defence

The six-year-old was a brilliant winner of the Merseyside Group One last September, one of three top-level victories during his excellent career.

He was found to be suffering from a back problem when disappointing in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, but looked much more like his old self following a two-month break when beaten just a nose by Jamesie in Saturday's Renaissance Stakes at the Curragh.

Hogan said: "He's come out of the weekend in great shape and we're hoping he'll improve for the run and come forward a good bit ahead of the race on Saturday week.


"If he'd have got the split he'd have won without coming off the bridle on Saturday, so it was a good run and there was no slouching about. A minute and 10 (seconds) at the Curragh is a pretty sharp time.

"Hopefully there isn't too much more rain. He's pretty adaptable ground-wise, but he doesn't want it too deep.

"I think he'll go to Haydock in as good a form as last year, if not a bit better, so we're looking forward to it."

Surely one of the younger brigade (at least!) will improve past GLB. Who do we see actually lining up?

I have studied this contest for some time and is a race I always look forward to and this years renewal is as fascinating as ever. Here are my conclusions and reasoning. Firstly lets look at the major protagonists Sole Power and Slade Power whom between them have the sprint division sewn up having shared all of the top sprint races this year. Sole Power is a 5f horse who needs it fast. This race is over 6f and is almost always ran on slower ground with the time of year and the fact that Haydock gets soft pretty easily. So on those scores as good as he is he surely cannot win (and will not take part imho). Slade Power however is a 6f horse who enjoys cut and would be as a near a dead cert if we could be sure he will run before going to Austrailia. Edward Lynam has stated however that he will probably not compete (can be backed at 3-1 with a run). With the top two out of the equation we now need to take a closer look at the rest who aren't in the same parish as those two but include a good mix of both proven and up and coming sprinters some very good to say the least. Tropics finished close in the big July Cup race but I feel may have been a tad flattered that day as Slade Power sweated up and won although under par on the day such is his superiority! As mentioned above he can go on any ground but I also feel he is at his best at Newmarket. I believe he is not the winner. Gordon Lord Byron must go well in defence of his title as we know there are no fears on his score regarding conditions as they should be close to last years. I agree with the above comments also which regard him being a year older and maybe not quite as good this time around. Not having JM on board is also a negative too imo. Due Diligence is interesting but would want quick ground which worries me and I see him possibly missing this too with him being a work in progress and one to be on n.year on fast ground. Alamshaar has yet to prove he wants 6f (wins over further) and if not able to get there over six on the stiffer Ascot and Newm. july tracks then this sharper track is unlikely to be ideal and he is another who wants fast ground so therefore another unlikely winner imo. I really like both Astaire and Hot Streak and seriously believe both will be top dog contenders as 4yo's and really respect them for n.year too. Extorsionist too fits that billing and another for next year. He must prove 6f and softer going yet another negative. To cut this novel short I am going to put a real swerve ball into the mix as my likely winner of this: VIZTORIA. She has not been considered by many but I believe she ticks many boxes. As a 2yo she was massively impressive in winning her maiden being touted as a leading 1000 g's contender only to miss that through setback. At three she routed a good field of colts including Gregorian when winning the Park stks. at Donny and was not beaten far on unfavourable ground at Ascot behind Snow Lantern over a 1m trip which stretched her. Also not beaten far behind Slade P her stable mate at the Curragh. Having competed in the Maurice de' gheest lto she needed the run and was poorly drawn, travelling powerfully before fading. TWICE a winner in September and probably improved at four I really believe that the 20-1 ! is an utter insult to her chances as I feel that this race will cut up with many above her in the betting unlikely to participate or as mentioned having scores to prove. 20-1 EW is my recommendation and I would not put anyone off backing Slade Power at 3-1 with a run incase he shows up in which case he wins easily. Lord Gordon has less to prove than the rest and rates next best but 6yo too old to win this imo. GOOD LUCK ALL

The forecast is dry and warm for the next two weeks so good to firm looks very likely?

Hughsie throws a curveball in his column today, suggesting Sole Power could well go here if it stays dry

bluebirdfan
30 Aug 14 10:38

Hughsie throws a curveball in his column today, suggesting Sole Power could well go here if it stays dry


Haydock is an easy a 6f so given he's unlikely to get his ground in the Abbaye (and he'd have 4 weeks to recover anyway) I don't see why they wouldn't chance it if Slade Power isn't ready.

Gonna be good ground maybe even g/firm so I'm going to have a crack at Cougar Mountain. Not far behind Slade Power & Sole Power in his last 2 starts and, as it has only had 3, yes 3 runs, it surely has loads more to come. 14s is a decent price with my only concern being "will it turn up?" as we all know the O'Brien team can yank them out late on.

Taking a Chance on Baccarat to improve enough.

Joseph riding GLB so Cougar aint winning. TF I never went in AP

Your post read like you did back him Willie. AOB has no runners now.

Interesting race this with the majority of the market leaders yet to do the business at this level. GLB must have a great chance and I think Baccarat is the interesting one at the prices, wouldn't have a lot to find with a few of these yet seems to be four times the price.

Interesting Sole Power in this and not in Irish Champions week... There are so many conundrums at 6f... 3/1 for a 5f specialist who will need luck in running ... needs the ground to dry up a bit more.  My guess is Hughes has probably put a bit of pressure on connections to run here.. he obviously feels he can get more out of the horse than anyone else can from reading his column in RP ... considering the way he won the Nunthorpe I guess he is going for the waiting tactics ... and good luck to him as he will need it...

Personally, I think they should have waited for the sprint in Ireland ... but entitled to take his chance considering the races he has won.

Im still with GLB... and glad Joseph was not on him though! Phew!

Then why not Professor if you fancy Baccarat? It is his ground he is twice the price and weighted to d/h if you allow for the claim but Challoner maybe worth every lb of his 3.
If I were to have a bet in the race,other than the two n/r already down, they would be Es Que Love and Professor both e/w.

Well well Cougar declared with young Josie in the plate. I dare say the "Money Men" have told him he rides theirs, end of. Gonna bet it now at 16s with WH.
Gl luck all. I will be watching it from a bar in Benalmadena

Absolutely, but the case for Professor is there and although it seems like he has been around forever he is not over raced,he has course form,his best runs look to be at 6f and if the ground keeps drying out he will have a lot going for him for a 66/1 shot.It is a good race in prospect with ifs and buts about a few of the market leaders.I think he has 6lb+ to find to win,but place prospects he has.
A horse that did not get a run is Naadirr and he was entered up late for York. If he runs there he could be worth a look.

The clock says an Irish horse but which one? I`ve gone for Gordon Lord Byron.

Great race for us to watch this afternoon,I feel confident that Cougar Mountain is well up to this,the trip can only help,I much respect G force the video has been replayed time again of last performance,It did travel so well and very unlucky in running,at a much bigger price Casper Netscher is capable of throwing a good run into the mix,just the two runs this year still fresh.

Gordon Lord Byron is my pick to, would have prefered a bit of cut but comes here fresh and is a very smart performer at his bestGL

only just looked in here, I've backed Professor ew too - had n't factored in the rain this morning unfortunately (I live about 20 miles away and we've had no rain).

Aside from the Wokingham dimension, Professor has recorded decent performances on the clock under similar conditions both this year and last - similar being the key word unfortunately as ground was likely to have been quicker each time than will prove the case today.

Beyond my small, speculative (and probably doomed!) bet it looks very difficult.

Watching the Nunthorpe back, G Force was the eyecatcher other than the winner but he's been well enough found by the market.