Byron cruises to Sprint Cup victory

GORDON Lord Byron made amends for his narrow defeat 12 months ago when running away with the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock.

The Tom Hogan-trained five-year-old did gain compensation in the Prix de la Foret last autumn after being beaten by Society Rock, and he registered his second Group One triumph with a demolition job in this six-furlong showpiece.

Helped by Heeraat setting the pace on the far rail, Gordon Lord Byron (7-2) was always travelling easily for Johnny Murtagh.

Taking it up with two furlongs to go, he quickly put daylight between himself and his rivals and won by three lengths from Slade Power (9-1).

Hoof It (33-1) was three-quarters of a length away in third. Lethal Force, the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and July Cup winner, was well beaten on the rain-softened ground.

Murtagh said: “He was different today. I don’t know if it was the ground but, when I got to the three marker, I was taking him back. I let him coast down to the two and when I gave him a couple of cracks, unlike the last time I rode him when he was hard work, today he was just electric and he picked up really well and won easy.”