Slade Shoots For Diamond Glory

Friday, 20 June 2014 08:32

Slade Power will aim to give trainer Eddie Lynam a famous sprint double in Saturday's Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

With stable stalwart Sole Power winning the King's Stand on Tuesday for the same owners, the Power Family, it would certainly be a noteworthy achievement if his stable companion could win the six-furlong (1200m) Group One on the closing day of the meeting.

Connections opted not to back Sole Power up to attempt the double achieved by Australian horse Choisir in 2003.

Slade Power will face 14 rivals, including several strong contenders from his homeland led by Tom Hogan's globetrotter Gordon Lord Byron.

The winner of the Group One George Ryder Stakes in Australia in March, Gordon Lord Byron was unplaced over a mile (1600m) at Sha Tin last month. He is reunited with William Buick.

Aidan O'Brien runs two in Darwin and the improving three-year-old Due Diligence.

There is also a challenger from France in the shape of Eric Libaud's American Devil.

Aljamaaheer, who was among the leading performers over a mile last term, has reverted to sprinting this year and represents Roger Varian.

Medicean Man, trained by ex-pat Australian Jeremy Gask and fourth in the King's Stand on Tuesday, will make his second appearance of the week.