SPRINT CUP - GORDON LORD BYRON

I was very impressed and slightly surprised at Gordon's proximity on Saturday, proving he's right back to form and ready to run a big race at Haydock where any give in the ground would make him a worthy favourite. Tropics was an equally impressive runner on Saturday and there's no evidence he is ground dependent. I think they both have great chances. Good thread.

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."

Took the 8/1 witb VCBet last night. Can see it going off about 3/1 favourite if the Slade horses don't run.

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

Don't see why the younger brigade should win. Sole Power and Slade Power have dominated the sprint division this season and GLB thrashed Slade Power in this last year. If GLB hadn't been campaigned in Australia and the Far East after that then maybe he'd have been coming here off winning the Golden Jubilee and July Cup?

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

Agree with the general opinion that it would be difficult to look beyond a back to form GLB. His latest run was a few pounds below his best but it has to be seen as a promising run in light of his absence and was clearly better than his previous outings this year. By my reckoning the ground was faster than the description and as he's always showed his very best with give it was even more encouraging. There's always a fair chance of getting softish ground for this race and if it is then he'd be a decent bet to repeat his win last year.

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

I've followed Viztoria off the proverbial cliff over the last 2 years so won't be playing her unless it rains. Lucky Kristale might be an interesting one dropping back to 6f but no idea if she runs?

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

Checked weather forecast - dry all week... average 18 degrees

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.

got the bit about Due Diligence missing this right anyway and still feel Sole Power wants the minimum and misses this too. I hope to see more nr's over next day or too as long as VIZTORIA is not one of them

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.

With four days to post time I am liking the way the race is cutting up with Aljamaheer the latest to look like missing it. Sole Power won't start either imho and cannot understand him even entered as we all know he is a minimum trip specialist and will be declared nr on the morning of the race as happened with the July Cup. I also expect Extorsionist to be pulled out too along with Pearl Secret as they too are yet to win over the six. Twelve runners come post time imo (of the 25 that remain). Gl all. Still sweet on Viztoria.

Taking a Chance on Baccarat to improve enough.

doesn't Vizroia need cut in the ground to be at her best?

I'm on Music Master ante-post, ground should be right for him come Saturday.

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

Music Master rock solid e/w at 8/1 as Sint mentioned above could be improving still as well.

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

final decs in this mornning..

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.

It looks like Pearl Secret is running if it does not get too quick. His first try at 6f.

Cougar Mountain still in.

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!

One horse that does interest me each way is BACCARAT... handicapper tryng it at Group level and a Group 1!!! was 40/1 earlier in the week now 25s... Fahey knows what type of horse you need to win a Group 1 with Mayson and more recently Garswood.... so will be interesting to hear his comments on Saturday... but definately worth a small dabble now he is declared ...

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.

Just seen the draw ... drawn 18 that is a massive concern... for Gordon Lord Byron... wouldnt have minded if he was 13 or 14 ... but 18 is thats wide...

Im not sure about Professor... but I do agree with Es Que Love... backed him a few times... shd head or so against Music Master and he is 8s... so yeah value there...

I think ill stick to my 3

GLB
Tropics
Baccarat

and fingers crossed.

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

Dunlaying although i see your logic regarding Professor, i cant speak for anyone else but the reason i prefer Baccarat is i dont believe he is fully exposed whereas i think Professor is, and is not good enough to win this.

Dont feel the draw will be a major issue tomorrow there is a good spread of pace across the track imo.

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.

Gutted as I don't get a run for my money with VIZTORIA who has now been aimed at a repeat in the Park stks at Donny with the hope of some softer ground. I think I might chuck ante post betting now as this is the third one I've had without a run for my dosh. Upsides are great when you get it right with rewarding odds. I need to go back as far as RA when it was ran at York when backing IFRAAJ @ 7-1 for the Wokingham as my last good Ante poster. Still good luck to those of you who are still on a confirmed runner and must agree with those taking a chance on COUGAR MOUNTAIN as he has to have the most improvement in this field and will want it as quick as poss as I believe his Ascot run behind Slade P can be upgraded as it was g/s that day and feel the quicker the better for him. Going against LGB and distance against sole P so COUGAR MOUNTAIN for me now. All the v. best everyone.

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

Hot Streak at 38s for me.

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.

Bit worried about draw and ground for GLB but he should still be vying for favourtism imo so wouldn't put anyone off at 6/1+. I've done a stakes saver on Sole Power (whose done me plenty of good turns over the last 2 seasons).

I've also thrown a couple of quid win and place on Capsar Netshcer at 150 / 38.

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

I don't believe GLB needs very soft ground, it's just that his form is a bit better when he can get his toe in. To my eyes there is definitely some cut, and while the time for the first race is more of a good ground time it's not dissimilar from the times on the straight last year when GLB won, personally I'd say it's no quicker. After some rain I find Haydock a track that often saps stamina more than the bare times may suggest. Not a race to go gung-ho on but GLB is a very fair win and place price, in my view.

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.

Sole Power will NOT win this as we know from past exploits that this his not his trip and never will be. GLB has a poor draw and all best performances on softer ground which means that the winner will be a decent price. Just too tough to call and for that reason best to leave alone or LAY SP AND GLB. GL

Sep 6, 2014 -- 8:29AM, metro john wrote:

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.

Missed your comments re G Force, mj - his head carriage looked a bit strange at York and I thought he might not like being crowded but he has a win in a 19 runner race, can't bring myself to back him but will be interesting to see whether he proves he was a little unlucky there or whether he was one of those eyecatchers who were flattered in hindsight.

I'm still a Cougar Mountain fan too but still not sure about the trip for him - he should have a beeter chance than over the minimum in the Nunthorpe but can't help feeling he might need even further to give of his best - we'll see.

What were the Hannons doing letting go of G Force ? . LGB  ran well  and  can win soon.

Close but no cigar - should have laid off in running.

Paid 1.87 SP on here in the place market.

To be honest ...I did consider G-FORCE on is Nunthorpe form... but was put off with the fact he was a three year ... felt too often 3 yr olds always find one to good... and worse still I always make a note to back OMeara and Cowell horses but never do... I think I need to not that down in caps lock somewhere...

But cant complain GLB beat fair and square...

Sole Power? Well connections got a bit greedy there ahould have waited for Ireland and stick to 5f I think its 0 from 7 now at 6f?

Nice run from Pearl Secret in 5th.