Gordon Lord Byron has drifted in betting for his defence of the Sprint Cup at Haydock after drawing the outside barrier.
A Group One winner of the George Ryder Stakes in Australia during the autumn, Gordon Lord Byron has eased from 9-2 to 5-1 with Sole Power firming to 3-1 favourite.
The Eddie Lynam-trained Sole Power has already struck twice at the highest level this season, turning in devastating displays in the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot and the Nunthorpe at York to confirm himself top of the tree in the five-furlong (1000m) division.
On Saturday, the seven-year-old steps up to six furlongs for the first time this year, a distance over which he has never previously won.
Gordon Lord Byron was an impressive winner of the Group One contest 12 months ago for Tom Hogan and returns as a major contender following a close second on his recent return at the Curragh.
“Gordon Lord Byron is in great form,” Hogan said.
“He needed the run and it has really brought him on.
“He has done very well since and would be somewhere around the same condition as he was before he won this race last year.
“His work rider even thinks that he has got better.”
Wayne Lordan, who has ridden Gordon Lord Byron on six previous occasions, winning three times, gets back on board on Saturday.
A spokesman for race sponsor Betfred said punters had warmed to Sole Power during the week.
“The money has been coming for Sole Power all week and we’ve been forced to take evasive action with his main market rival drawn on the wide outside,” he said.
