Wayne Lordan will again partner last year’s Betfred Sprint Cup winner Gordon Lord Byron, as he bids to defend the race on Saturday at Haydock. The duo is currently 9-2 to take out the race with 
Paddy Power, second favourite behind Sole Power (3-1).
Last year’s Sprint Cup winner has been drawn wide PICTURE: Martin Lynch (racingpost.com/photos)
Lordan has partnered Gordon Lord Byron on six previous occasions, but not within the past 12 months, so he will have to reacquaint himself with the six year old quickly as the two will face a maximum field of 17 after declarations were made on Thursday morning. The Mick Appleby-trained Danzeno is the sole reserve for the race.
Competition will be tough for the Tom Hogan-trained runner after he was drawn wide in stall 18, while Sole Power is in stall nine. Sole Power finished runner-up in last year’s Sprint Cup, ridden coincidentally enough by Lordan.
Sole Power’s connections are confident the seven year old has what it takes, despite this being his first start beyond the minimum trip since December.
Paddy Power (yes, a member of the bookmaking family), son of Sole Power’s owner Sabena Power, said: “It’s a shame Slade Power couldn’t make it, but we’ll let him do his talking in Australia and the fastest horse in the world isn’t a bad supersub.
“Some pundits reckon he’s better over five furlongs, but he would have won the Hong Kong Sprint over six if he hadn’t met a monster horse and having Hughsie on board is a match truly made in heaven.”
Henry Candy’s Music Master, Tropics, and G-Force are all tied for third-favourite at 8-1.
Just 30 minutes before the Sprint Cup, Haydock’s big Saturday handicap, the Betfred TV Old Borough Cup will be underway. Ante-post leader Epsom Hill just made the cut for the race, with the three year old sneaking in at the foot of the field. He is tied for 8-1 second-favourite at Paddy Power, along with Glenard and Nautilus.
Winner of his last two starts, Epsom Hill fills the 17th and final place for the 1m6f race, and trainer Charlie Fellowes said in Thursday’s Racing Post: “He is in really good form and I’d like to catch him when he is in good form.”
Ante-post favourite Havana Cooler will carry top weight of 9st 10lb for Luca Cumani and is a best-priced 4-1. Artful Artist and Stomachion were the most notable absentees.
With two fantastic races taking place this Saturday at Haydock, now is the best time to open your real money account at Paddy Power and place a bet.
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