Gordon lords it over Desmond rivals

Gordon Lord Byron took full advantage of the absence of Darwin to win the Desmond Stakes at Leopardstown last night.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained Darwin would have been a warm order but was taken out following a change to ground conditions with rain at the Dublin venue.

Tom Hogan’s Group One-winning stable star was dropping to Group Three company but was also having a rare run over a mile, although he was fourth in the Hong Kong Mile in December.