Gordon Lord Byron back for a tenth consecutive campaign

2.50 Navan
Cork Stakes (Listed) | 5½f | 3yo+ | RTV

The remarkable Gordon Lord Byron is back at the age of 11 to start his tenth consecutive campaign in a career that has yielded 16 victories, three of them at Group 1 level.

Navan feature will be the Tom Hogan-trained veteran's 95th race and he will be bidding for his first win in almost two years. Placed a couple of times at Group 3 level last season, Gordon Lord Byron will be reunited with Seamie Heffernan, who twice rode him in 2011.

Hogan said: "He's been loving his work and showing plenty of enthusiasm as he starts another campaign. The trip will possibly be a bit short for him – the ground drying out will suit, but his high draw won't."

Downforce: is bidding for a Cork Stakes hat-trickCredit: Patrick McCann

Heffernan's mount faces 15 rivals including Downforce, winner of the race at Cork in 2017 and again over this course and trip 12 months ago, last year's Cornwallis Stakes winner Sergei Prokofiev, one of three runners for Aidan O'Brien.

Son Of Rest, who dead-heated in last year's Ayr Gold Cup, and Angelic Light, who won the Bosra Sham Stakes at Newmarket on her final start last season, complete the field.

What they say

Willie McCreery, trainer of Downforce
He's going for a third win in the race and is in good form. We're putting the visor on as we think he's been minding himself a bit in his races. We won't want the ground to dry out any more, though.

Fozzy Stack, trainer of Son Of Rest
He's ready to start back but we're hoping for rain. I'll check out the ground before racing and make a decision then.

Johnny Murtagh, trainer of Urban Beat
He has done very well over the winter and is ready to go. It's a very competitive renewal but he should run well. We should find out where we stand with him for the rest of the season.

Sergei Prokofiev: smart sprinter returnsCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Sergei Prokofiev, All The King's Men and Fantasy
Sergei Prokofiev was a smart sprinter last year while All The King's Men won a Listed race over the course and distance. They are ready to start off and the good ground will suit them. Fantasy is a course winner and we're hoping she runs well.

Michael O'Callaghan, trainer of Angelic Light
She wintered very well and is ready for a sprint campaign. I'm very happy with her and while it looks very competitive, she should perform well.

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