Gordon set for step up in class Tipperary handler Tom Hogan is hopeful Gordon Lord Byron can cope with the step up in class in the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday. The four-year-old was a comfortable winner of the Listed Betfred City Of York Stakes at the Ebor Meeting and now tries to continue his improvement at Group One level. As well as the steep rise in class he also has to contend with the drop back to six furlongs but with the weather set fair Hogan thinks his charge will have his optimum conditions at Haydock. The trainer told sportinglife.com: "He's done very well since York, he looks grand. He hardly came off the bridle at York and he's on an upward curve so we thought we'd let him take his chance. "There's not a lot between the top handicappers and the Group One performers in the sprinting division and he looks like he'll get his ideal conditions. "Better ground makes a huge difference to him. He travels very easily in his races so the drop back to six on good ground should be no problem for him. "If he's placed on Saturday he could still go for the Ayr Gold Cup as he won't get a penalty, but if he wins it will scupper that. I wouldn't mind that though!" Gordon Lord Byron is a 25-1 chance for Saturday's Sprint Cup with Sky Bet.
