QIPCO BRITISH

CHAMPIONS SPRINT

STAKES (G2)

GORDON Lord Byron, as tough and consistent as they come and a credit to Tom Hogan, ran out a clear-cut winner of the Group 2 Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes. The six-year-old found a remarkable late burst to come between rivals and beat Tropics by just over a length with Jack Dexter a neck behind. Recovering his form, last year’s winner Maarek finished a creditable fourth.

The winner was only seventh in this last year but is always a force to be reckoned with. A fine placed effort at Longchamp on Arc day, on ground too fast for him, suggested he needed at least seven furlongs but six on this very testing ground suited him admirably. Seemingly held when Tropics made his move and took over from Jack Dexter inside the final furlong, he found plenty for Wayne Lordan and surged clear inside the final 50 yards to win with some authority. He holds his form extremely well and may go for the Hong Kong International Sprint in December.

There were one or two very disappointing efforts. Eddie Lynam’s Viztoria, third last year and 5/1 joint-favourite with Gordon Lord Byron, faded quickly after travelling well, while G Force saw plenty of daylight on the wide outside and was never going to repeat his surprise victory at Haydock, where he was just too good for last week’s winner. In the end he dropped out to finish last.

Hogan has been to war with Gordon Lord Byron any number of times – the horse has run in five countries this year – and was thrilled with him.

WORRIED

“I was very worried half a furlong out,” he said. “I could see he was travelling in the ground but he had nowhere to go. Luckily Wayne gave him a brilliant ride and got him through the narrowest of gaps. He did us proud and is a superstar. The Breeders’ Cup could be done, you know. He isn’t eligible at the moment but I’m sure a deal could be done. We’ll look at whoever comes up with the juiciest invite”.

It will certainly be worth keeping an eye open for the postman.