Hogan hoping Byron is ready to lord it over rivals again

Towards the end of last season and after his first three starts this year, one could have been forgiven for thinking the much-travelled Gordon Lord Byron had regressed and was no longer to be feared in major races. The glory days of Group 1 victories in France, Britain and Australia and successes at Group 2, Group 3 and Listed race level looked consigned to the history books with splendid memories for trainer Tom Hogan and the eight-year-old's owners. But that all changed at the Curragh last month when Hogan's stable star followed up a minor win at Tipperary by landing the Group 2 Minstrel Stakes. His performance resulted in his official rating being raised to 114, only 4lb below his career highest.

So, might there yet be more to come from the popular veteran who received a big reception following his recent Curragh win? His trainer talks about his hero's achievements and how prior to that Curragh success he had doubts about Gordon Lord Byron's ability to continue competing in top races.

Tony O'Hehir - Gordon Lord Byron is off on his travels this weekend for another tilt at the Prix Maurice de Gheest on Sunday. Did you fear he was in decline before his recent revival?
Tom Hogan - Indeed I did. He's had different little problems all his life and towards the end of last season and again early this year he had plenty of bother with his back and with allergies and wasn't able to run anywhere near his best. We seem to have sorted out his problems and his recent win at the Curragh showed he still has the engine.