Slade Power Wins July Cup

Slade Power beat 66/1 outsider Tropics and the running on Gregorian to land the Darley July Cup at Newmarket on Saturday.

Eddie Lynam's five-year-old was a heavily-supported 7-4 favourite following his maiden Group One victory in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes last month and although he got warm before the off, it clearly had no effect on his performance.

Racing in the far-side group and given a nice lead by Spanish challenger Noozhoh Canarias, Slade Power was ridden to lead entering the last of the six furlongs and was well on top as he passed the post a length and a half clear under Wayne Lordan.

Tropics, a 66-1 outsider, ran a massive race to fill the runner-up spot for Dean Ivory, with the John Gosden-trained Gregorian finishing strongly to grab third ahead of American runner Undrafted.

Lynam and the owners David and Sabena Power were due to be double-handed in the race but Slade Power's fellow Ascot hero Sole Power, winner of the King's Stand, was taken out due to the ground.

David Power said: "We always said this horse needed time and this was always going to be his year.

"That (sweating) was never a concern. It would be a concern if he didn't sweat up. It's part of his nature."

Sabena said: "I was disappointed when Sole didn't run, but I think Slade will give him an awful time when he gets home!

"We're terribly lucky."

The owners are the parents of leading bookmaker Paddy Power, who made a match bet of £5,000 with Undrafted's owner, Wes Welker, a leading American Football player, earlier this week.

But Power revealed: "Because Sole Power didn't run, we're both going to give £5,000 to the Injured Jockeys Fund.

"That will be another picture of the grandkids off the wall at mum and dad's house!"