Gordon Lord Byron in great nick after Dubai trip – Hogan

Gordon Lord Byron has had a long and fabled career and he is back where it all began as he lines up in the 6f sprint (7.30) for Tom Hogan and Wayne Lordan.

After fracturing his pelvis on debut for Hogan in 2010, Gordon Lord Byron spent a year off the track before gaining his first two career victories at this venue.

Hogan explained why the nine-year-old is back on an artificial surface. He said: “We took him to Dubai, but he tweaked a muscle over there and it was all a little bit messy. We decided to bring him home and get him back firing here as we couldn’t really treat him properly out there.

“He’s done two really nice pieces of work since he’s come home and he’s in great nick. Sure, like myself, he’s getting on a bit and it isn’t getting any easier for him!”

Despite the fact father time may be catching up on Gordon Lord Byron, Hogan is looking forward to another fruitful campaign. He added: “If he is caught for fitness, it’s not going to be the end of the world and he should come on from this.”

The main danger to Gordon Lord Byron could be Ostatnia, and trainer Willie McCreery said: “She’s won on this surface before but has yet to win over six furlongs. She’s in good form and I’m expecting her to run well.”

Elsewhere on the card, Mark Johnston and Andrew Balding send runners across the Irish Sea in the shape of Fire Fighting and Elbereth to contest the 1m2f conditions race (8.30).

The British raiders face a strong home team headed by Group 3-winning two-year-old Sanus Per Aquam, while Willie Mullins has been trying to reignite the spark inside Pique Sous, who ran with credit at Chelmsford having previously disgraced himself in the stalls here in February.

The Matthew Smith-trained Shalaman bids for a first victory since scoring over course and distance two years ago.

Smith said: “He’s wrong at the weights with a good few, but will hopefully be in with a shout. He’d want to be back to his very best to win, but we’re happy with him.”

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