Strings Of Life becomes first winner for Darley's Slade Power

Slade Power was a Royal Ascot winner on the track and he could be on the verge of becoming one as a stallion too as the filly Strings Of Life not only became his first winner at Newmarket on Wednesday but had trainer Charlie Appleby dreaming of the summer showpiece.

Strings Of Life, out of the Pivotal mare Nashama, was sent off the 2-1 joint-favourite and made impressive late headway up the far rail to score by half a length, getting Diamond Jubilee hero and Kildangan Stud-based Slade Power off the mark.

"She's small, neat but very athletic," said Appleby of the Godolphin homebred. "In the last month she's really come forward, so I was confident coming up here. She was brave and when she hit the rising ground, she galloped out nicely. I see no reason why we can't make roads towards Royal Ascot."

Appleby revealed Strings Of Life is one of two Slade Powers in his Newmarket yard, the other being an as yet unnamed filly and he added: "They're two very different individuals. They're natural and very good moving horses. It's good for Slade Power to get a first winner, he was a very tough racehorse himself."

Strings Of Life was the second of Slade Power's first crop to hit the track, after the Tom Dascombe-trained Sesame finished fifth at Wolverhampton on Saturday.

Slade Power is standing the 2018 season in Ireland for a fee of €15,000.

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