GORDON Lord Byron makes a return to domestic action at Dundalk in tonight’s six-furlong 'Fast Track Qualifier' for the All-Weather Championships at Lingfield on Good Friday. Tom Hogan's multiple Group One winner is nine now and age appeared to be catching up with him in two January appearances at Meydan, but it is worth remembering that he landed the Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh only last summer and has won half of his six starts at this poly track.
The three-time course-and-distance winner has to concede upwards of 7lb to his eight rivals and heading the opposition is another course specialist, seven-time winner on this surface, Togoville, although he flopped when dropped to this six furlongs most recently, but he was a winner over the trip in February. Ostatnia must also be considered on her return to action along with Grey Danube, a five-time course and distance winner here. At his best Gordon Lord Byron would make mincemeat of these. James Given’s Sign Of The Kodiac could be the one to surprise though under Pat Smullen. There were some positive signs of a comeback to form at Lingfield last month.
Turbine has his first outing for Denis Hogan in the sprint and his former trainer Mark Johnston brings Fire Fighting, with Pat Smullen on board, over for the 10-and-a-half-furlong equivalent, another €25,000 race with a small field. Officially rated 112, the Yorkshire raider sets an excellent standard and might prove too nippy at this trip for Pique Sous.
The Andrew Balding-trained filly Elbereth is another cross-channel challenger but she has plenty to find on Fire Fighting as indeed has the Bolger runner Sanus Per Aquam, third in the 2015 Dewhurst behind Air Force Blue. Air Force who?
St Stephens Green, also partnered by Smullen, isn't a bad hurdler and makes a belated start to his Flat career in the two-mile maiden. But the partnership will surely struggle here against lightly-raced filly Zamira, second here last July behind My Fantasea before disappointing in a Killarney maiden when sent off an even money chance. Sheamus, rated 132 over hurdles, and Tony Martin’s The Invisible Dog, beaten a nose and a half-length here three weeks ago behind Robe Of Honour and Nivvo, are very live dangers, especially the latter with his 75 rating and a good 5lb claimer on board.
The opening claiming race over seven furlongs looks an opportunity for Elusive In Paris whose stable may also takes the six-furlong handicap with Strategic Heights which meets runner-up Red All Star on just 2lb worse terms and could confirm the placings. Brave Display is the only three-year-old in the line-up but is quite tempting.
Two of the Dundalk 45-65 staples bulk out the card. Shepherds Crook may beat Locus Standi and Six Silver Lane in the 10-and-a-half-furlong version while the concluding mile, again with a maximum field might rest between Tennessee Waltz, Elusive Approach and the topweights Black Agnes and Word’s Greatest.
Selections: Neville Ring
6.00 Elusive In Paris
6.30 Zamira (Dbl)
7.00 Strategic Heights
7.30 Sign Of The Kodiac
8.00 Shepherds Crook
8.30 Fire Fighting (Nap)
9.00 Tennessee Waltz
Selections: Next Best
6.00 Hes Our Music
6.30 The Invisible Dog
7.00 Red All Star
7.30 Gordon Lord Byron
8.00 Locus Standi
8.30 Sanus Per Aquam
9.00 Black Agnes
