Slade can Power home in July Cup

Slade Power has shot to the top of the tree in the sprinting ranks, and can add another big race successes to his already impressive CV by landing the Group 1 July Stakes at Newmarket today (3.50).

The Edward Lynam trained five-year-old boasts a terrific strike rate, having won nine of his 18 starts and been placed on five occasions.

Two of those successes came in Group contests last season, and Slade Power also ran very well at the highest level to finish third to Lethal Force in this contest 12 months ago and runner-up to Gordon Lord Byron in the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock.

The son of Dutch Art has since taken his form to a new level this season, winning both starts in impressive fashion.

In the first of those, Slade Power beat a race fit Maarek in a Group 3 contest at the Curragh by two lengths.

Slade travelled supremely well throughout the 6f contest, and after leading at the furlong marker quickened well to put the race to bed and score by a comfortable two lengths.

It was an effort which suggested Slade Power would be capable of winning Group 1 contests this season, and that duly proved to be the case when he landed the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot last time out with a bit to spare.

Slade Power again showed a high cruising speed to race on the heels of the leaders, and after quickening to the front a furlong from home only had to be kept up to his work to beat Due Diligence by 1 1/2 lengths.

That win makes Slade Power the one they all have to beat, and there is no reason why Due Diligance should reverse the form.

The “dark horse” in the line-up, and potentially the fly in the ointment, is Spanish raider Noozhoh Canarias.

The three-year-old has won four of his six starts, and showed blistering early speed to lead in the 2,000 Guineas before weakening late on to finish a highly creditable sixth of 14 to Night Of Thunder.

Noozhoh Canarias was only beaten 4 1/4 lengths in a race which has worked out well, and the drop back from a mile to 6f looks sure to suit.