Duke of York run gives Gordon Lord Byron hope of joining Ascot kings

Gordon Lord Byron may have failed to become the first Irish winner of the Duke Of York Stakes in 34 years last month, but the strong showing put in by Tom Hogan’s charge could bear fruit at Ascot.

Under Ryan Moore, the gelding would have to watch the Kieren Fallon-piloted Society Rock take that Irish accolade just ahead of Lethal Force in second, but the fact that he was only marginally behind in third suggests that Hogan’s five-year-old could go well in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Ascot on June 22nd.

York saw the first appearance of Gordon Lord Byron since an unsuccessful time out at Meydan in March, and with the connections admitting that it was good to see their charge perform so encouragingly back on the grass – where he finished ahead of heavy 7/2 favourite Maarek – that optimism could be taken forward to the Royal meeting.

Following wins at Dundalk, Longchamp and York in the past year, as well as previous successes in Ireland, Hogan will now hold out hope that his gelding has enough to impress the onlookers at Ascot.

With Moore again likely to be on board, Gordon Lord Byron is a tempting each-way shout at 16/1 in a race which saw the great Black Caviar extend her unbeaten run to 22 races thanks to her win by a head from Moonlight Cloud last year.

Society Rock finished back in fifth then, and following that York showing James Fanshawe’s charge is available at 8/1 for this year’s running.

A year on from Black Caviar’s success there is another Australian mare attracting plenty of attention in the 16/1 Sea Siren, who will be partnered with jockey Jamie Spencer following an announcement on Tuesday.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing