Evergreen Gordon Lord Byron returns to scene of first two triumphs

Dundalk was where the evergreen Gordon Lord Byron achieved the first two wins of his remarkable career six years ago and Tom Hogan's stable star will be back on the Polytrack on Friday seeking a third win over the course when he carries top weight against nine rivals in the www.dundalkstadium.com handicap (8.30).

The nine-year-old, who went on to achieve Group 1 success in England, France and Australia, ran in two handicaps at Meydan in January but Friday's race will be his first run in a handicap in Ireland since he finished third over an extended six furlongs at the Curragh in June 2012.

The 16-time winner, who will be attempting to win over a mile for only the second time – he was successful over the trip in the Group 3 Desmond Stakes at Leopardstown in 2013 – is the mount of Chris Hayes who rode him to his most recent win in the Group 2 Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh in May.

Hogan said on Thursday: "Gordon Lord Byron is still enjoying life and is in very good form. He's run very well a few times this year including on his last two starts.

"We took him to Dundalk last Friday to gallop and he seemed to love it. He's got a good draw (three), we're very happy with him and looking forward to the race."

Skies the limit?

Clear Skies, who missed all of last season, is making up for lost time and the four-year-old Sea The Stars half-sister to Derby winner, Motivator, will be bidding for a Dundalk five-timer in the Irishinjuredjockeys.com handicap (7.30).

Trained by Aidan O'Brien for JP McManus, Clear Skies will be stepping up to two miles for the first time following three victories over 1m3f at the track and a win over 1m4f on her most recent start a week ago.

Raised 10lb for that two and three quarter length win, Donnacha O'Brien's mount faces 12 rivals, nine of them course winners and who includes the Matthew Smith-trained Winter Lion, winner of the same event a year ago.

The seven-year-old, who is reverting from a couple of runs over hurdles, is the mount of 10lb claimer Ben Coen.

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