Sprint Cup regular Gordon shoots for glory

Gordon Lord Byron bids to extend his excellent record in the 32Red Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday.

As well as running out an impressive winner of the Group One contest in 2013, the eight-year-old was a close second to Society Rock in 2012 and to G Force in 2014.

Tom Hogan's stable stalwart disappointed when joint-favourite for last year's renewal, but has enjoyed a mini-revival this summer by winning a conditions race at Tipperary and the Group Two Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh.

Hogan said: "He's going back for the fifth time. I don't think there can be many horses that have run in the race five times.

"He seems in very good form and we're hoping that if he runs to within a couple of pounds of his best, that will be good enough for him to be involved in the finish, but we'll see.

"I think he'll need to be at his very best to win it - it's a competitive enough race. I think when he won at the Curragh, that was pretty close to as good as he is as he won with a bit in hand."

Following his Minstrel Stakes triumph, Gordon Lord Byron was a shade disappointing in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville.

However, Hogan was pleased with his latest effort when fourth over an inadequate five furlongs at Tipperary.

"The run in France didn't work out as the ground was patchy, he hit a bad patch and that was the end of it, but he ran well in Tipperary the other day and is ready for the job," said the trainer.

"We go in hope and we'll see what he can do."

Stewards' Cup heroine Dancing Star bids to complete her relentless ascent through the sprinting ranks.

Bidding to become the first filly or mare to win Goodwood's prestigious handicap since the mighty Lochsong in 1992, Dancing Star carried the same colours of owner-breeder Jeff Smith to an impressive success.

Lochsong's facile Goodwood triumph for Ian Balding 24 years ago set in motion a career that saw the flying mare notch up three Group One wins, as well as a handful of other verdicts at Group Two and Three level, and now her relation gets her chance to graduate to the top level for Balding's son Andrew.

"She had a little break after Goodwood for 10 days. She did her last serious piece of work last week and worked again on Saturday and we were really happy with her so we decided to supplement," said the Kingsclere handler.

"She's a high-class filly with a great attitude. We're very lucky to have had some of Jeff's great fillies and this is very much a female family, Lochangel and Lochsong being the stars of the show, but hopefully she can carry on that tradition, obviously she's got a fair way to go to be anywhere near what Lochsong achieved.

"I was worried the ground would be too fast in the Stewards' Cup and while she was effective on it, I think she's better with a bit of ease."

Another three-year-old filly with major claims is the Karl Burke-trained Quiet Reflection.

The daughter of Showcasing has already proven her worth at the highest level having completed a five-timer in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, after which she was far from disgraced in finishing third behind Limato in the July Cup.

"She's in great form. She did her final piece of work on Tuesday morning, just a strong breeze over five furlongs and she seems on top of her game," Burke said.

"I was keen to give her a couple of easy weeks, which she's had, and she put on 15 kilos in those two weeks she was off. We've had plenty to work at to get it back down and she's bang on her racing weight again now."

Following his stunning July Cup display, connections of Limato made the bold move to supplement him for last month's Nunthorpe at York.

Making his first appearance over five furlongs, the four-year-old had to make do with the runner-up spot as Mecca's Angel successfully defended her crown.

Limato steps back up in distance just over a fortnight later and jockey Harry Bentley is hoping the rain stays away from Merseyside.

He told At The Races: "We've made it pretty clear that quick ground is pretty vital for him. His preparation has been very good. I rode him on Tuesday and he seems to be in very good form. We've just got to wait and see what the weather will do now."

James Fanshawe claimed this prize with Society Rock in 2012 and has high hopes for this year's contender The Tin Man.

Fanshawe said: " Society Rock was sometimes like a stick of dynamite, really explosive, whereas The Tin Man is very chilled and never shows you a great deal at home.

"He's a very exciting horse when he is right but he gives you absolutely no clues whatsoever at home. For him, I was pleased with how he worked at the weekend. He quickened up nicely, looks well and is in good form with himself."