Gordon Lord Byron winning at the Curragh last time out© Photo Healy Racing
Popular veteran Gordon Lord Byron bids to add another Pattern-race to his haul in the Oliver Brady Memorial Shabra Charity Ballycorus Stakes at Leopardstown on Thursday evening.
Now a nine-year-old, he has been trained by Tom Hogan all his career and what a career it has been.
After 16 victories, which include wins in the Prix de la Foret, Haydock Sprint Cup and the George Ryder Stakes in Australia, he has built up an army of followers.
His winning days had appeared behind him early in the season but last time out he was too good for some much younger rivals in the Greenlands Stakes, which means he carries a penalty in this Group Three.
"He's been in very good form since his last run. I'm very happy with him," said Hogan.
"The ground should be perfect for him, it won't be too quick.
"To win a Group race with him as a nine-year-old gave me a great deal of pleasure, he's achieved a lot for us.
"I'm very hopeful he's going to run another good race."
There are two runners from the UK - Richard Fahey's Don't Touch and David O'Meara's Firmament
Jim Bolger 's Flight Risk the Ger Lyons-trained Psychedelic Funk Jessica Harrington's Marshall Jennings and Sevenleft from Sheila Lavery's stable make up the field.
