Gordon Lord Byron tries to defend his Sprint Cup crown at Haydock today and should be the favourite in my book. There is no doubting Sole Power is the faster animal but he is best over 5 furlongs as seen at Royal Ascot and York. In fact Sole Power has failed to win in all his five starts over today’s trip. At 3/1 Sole Power is readily passed over in favour of Gordon Lord Byron.
Last year Gordon Lord Byron had this race in the bag a full two furlongs out and really enjoyed the good/soft going that day. However, trainer Tom Hogan is adamant that Gordon Lord Byron goes on all ground bar heavy. In 2012 on his Haydock debut he finished second behind crack sprinter Society Rock in this race and that was on firm ground! He has a win and second in todays race and there is no doubting this race has been a target since last season.
Forget his run at Royal Ascot earlier this summer as he finished sore with back muscle problems. Such a run would be a major concern but for watching Gordon Lord Byron’s prep run at the Curragh recently before which his trainer issued genuine fitness concerns. Gordon Lord Byron flew home in that Curragh Group 3 on good ground from off the pace to finish a nose second. An autumn campaign like last season has been mapped out and he is the one they all have to beat today. Jockey Wayne Lordan knows him very well having ridden him a total of 6 times winning three of those and finishing second on the other three rides.
There are several dangers to our selection in a cracking renewal whereby most of the runners are familiar to us. If forced to choose two dangers I would pick Tropics and Baccarat. Tropics won very impressively in a Listed event at Newmarket whilst Baccarat showed a serious turn of foot to shoot clear when winning the Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot. Tom Segal of Pricewise has tipped up Baccarat and having been 25/1 earlier this week is available at just 12/1 now with the value gone. Therefore, we will have a saver on Tropics with most bookies paying out on the first four home.
Selection: 1 Point *EW Gordon Lord Byron Haydock 15:50 at 6/1 William Hill offering 4 places
Selection: 1 Point *EW Tropics Haydock 15:50 at 11/1 Betvictor, PaddyPower & Betfair Sportsbook
Best of luck,
Nicky
