Byron set for Foret again Gordon Lord Byron is all set to return to France for another crack at Sunday's Qatar Prix de la Foret at Longchamp. Tom Hogan's stalwart landed the seven furlong Group One in 2012 and has filled the runner-up spot for the last two years. Ed Walker feels the likelihood of the ground at Ascot being faster than the going at Longchamp this weekend will see Lightning Moon also head to France. The lightly-raced four-year-old also holds an entry at Ascot in the John Guest Bengough Stakes which he won last year but with the ground drying by the day, Walker is leaning towards the seven-furlong Group One instead. "I'm a bit worried about the ground on both fronts," said Walker. "He'll probably go to the Foret if anywhere, as I can't see the ground at Ascot being soft enough. "I'm leaning more towards France but one is a Group Three he won last year and he wouldn't have a penalty and the other is a Group One. "I'm sure if he ran at Ascot he'd take some beating as the stiff six there is just what he wants. "It's an easy seven at Longchamp, though, so that isn't an issue. "I'll have to speak to his connections and make a decision." Lightning Moon was among 19 possibles along with the classy Limato while others in the mix include David O'Meara's Custom Cut, the Richard Hannon-trained Toormore, William Haggas's Adaay and Andre Fabre's Make Believe, winner of the French 2000 Guineas. Make Believe's three-length defeat of leading Arc fancy New Bay at Longchamp puts him bang in the frame for the Foret, though he has not been sighted on a racecourse since finishing last in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. Ted Voute, racing manager for owner Prince Faisal, said: "He'll be there on Sunday, as we all will be. "He melted a bit after the Guineas and we probably ran him back too quickly at Ascot. "The thing about Andre is that he lets the horses tell him when they are ready. "We probably didn't listen and kept going on for Ascot, where everyone wants to have a runner. "He's taken time to come back to himself, but Andre said he looks as good as he did before the French Guineas."
