Bryan Smart’s Hellvelyn got Royal Ascot off to a flying start by winning the Coventry Stakes in good style.
The colt, sent off the 4-1 joint-favourite, was always close to the pace in the Group Two contest and swept into the lead a few strides after the two-furlong pole.
The mount of Ted Durcan responded superbly thereafter and was always holding Major Cadeaux to score by three-quarters of a length.
Peter Chapple-Hyam's Tariq stayed on to take third, one length further in arrears.
Although a group of three elected to go wide once the gates opened, the stands side was the place to be as Major Cadeaux and Hellvelyn took them along at a reasonable pace.
The latter was always travelling well, however, and tracked the every move of Richard Hannon's colt. Smart had made no secret of the regard he holds Hellvelyn in and his faith was justified once Durcan opted to make his move.
The two-year-old showed a neat turn of foot to cosily hold off his nearest rival, with third-placed Tariq sticking to his guns to fill the minor honours.
Aidan O'Brien's Holy Roman Emperor, the other joint-favourite, was the disappointment of the race and finished well down the field.
