Grand servant Gordon Lord Byron fifth in Leram Million

Hugely popular Irish sprinter and three-time Group 1 winner Gordon Lord Byron took the lead in the home straight but could finish only fifth in the EJC Leram Million at Velka Chuchle in Prague in the Czech Republic on Saturday.

Connections believed that rain the previous evening was the decisive factor in the ten-year-old's eclipse in a race worth more than €100,000.

Gordon Lord Byron, a winner of more than £1.8 million in prize-money in a glittering 90-race career dating back to 2010, held a good position under Tadhg O'Shea in the early stages and took up the running around a furlong and a half out.

Gordon Lord Byron: could run at Naas nextCredit: Patrick McCann

A victory on his first start in his eighth different country looked on the cards but he was overhauled in the final furlong, with the home-trained Troizilet, a winner at Longchamp earlier in the season and ridden by Jean-Bernard Eyquem, running out the clear winner.

O'Shea reflected: "He got into a great position from a bad stall and was travelling very well. We came to win the race but he just couldn't get any traction in the closing stages on the very loose ground. They had a lot of rain the previous evening. But he ran a great race and lost absolutely nothing in defeat."

Trainer Tom Hogan reported his horse fine after his exertions, adding: "We may go to Naas next for the Renaissance Stakes on Sunday week. It's a pity the rain came as he just couldn't pick up on the ground at the finish, but we've had a nice time here and live to fight another day."

Tadhg O'Shea: rode Gordon Lord Byron in the Czech RepublicCredit: Getty Images

The race was the most valuable of an eight-race card at the fourth European Jockeys' Cup, featuring 16 riders from 15 different countries, with Brett Doyle representing the UK.

The Cup was won by Bauyrzhan Murzabajev of Kazakhstan, who won two races and had a second-place finish, with Eyquem in second and Andreas Helfenbein from Germany in third.

Members can read the latest exclusive interviews, news analysis and comment available from 6pm daily on racingpost.com