Gordon Lord Byron heading for French contest
Tuesday 21 July 2015 09:43, UK
Tom Hogan reports Gordon Lord Byron to be none the worse after suffering defeat in Sunday's Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh.
The multiple Group One winner was a hot favourite for the seven-furlong contest following last month's comprehensive victory at the track, but did not travel with his usual zest before plugging on to fill the runner-up spot behind British raider Home Of The Brave.
Hogan believes the rain-softened ground was to blame for his slightly below-par display and is now targeting a trip to France.
Hogan said: "He seems fine this morning. For some reason he just couldn't get traction on that ground.
"He ran a good race. It's hard to give 12lb away to a decent horse and he was giving 5lb to a horse rated 111 in third (Sovereign Debt).
"I don't know whether the ground was tacky or what, but he didn't like it and it's just one of those things.
"We'll head on to the Prix Maurice de Gheest now and then come back for the Haydock Sprint Cup.
"After that he'll follow the same path as last year."
