Hellvelyn Ready For Shadwell Middle Park Stakes

Coventry Stakes hero Hellvelyn is primed for a big run in what promises to be a thrilling renewal of the Group One #170,000 Shadwell Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on Friday, September 29, 2006.

The Bryan Smart-trained two-year-old won his first three starts, including the Royal Ascot Group Two contest over six furlongs in June, before tasting his only defeat when a length and three quarters second to Holy Roman Emperor in the Group One Independent Waterford Wedgewood Phoenix Stakes at The Curragh on August 13, with Group One winner Miss Beatrix in third.

Smart revealed today: 'I couldn´t be more pleased with him and he´s going to Newmarket in good order. I´m hoping for a big run in what looks to be a very competitive race. He deserves to be there and he owes us nothing.

'I was obviously a bit disappointed he got beat last time but, if anything, I think my horse was a little bit free that day and the form is solid.'

The North Yorkshire handler is keeping his options open regarding the future with the Sheikh Rashid-owned son of Ishiguru.

Smart reported: 'He´s in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes so that´s a possibility, but obviously we´ll have to discuss with Sheikh Rashid what happens after this race. The horse has done it on all sorts of ground so I wouldn´t be concerned on that score.'

The prestigious six-furlong contest has attracted a typically high-class field of six, which includes the Peter Chapple-Hyam-trained Dutch Art, unbeaten in three starts including the Group Two Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Group One Darley Prix Morny at Deauville.

Conquest, trained by William Haggas, landed the six-furlong Group Two Scottish Equitable Gimcrack Stakes at York in August by three quarters of a length from Wi Dud.

Wi Dud returned to York on September 8, to secure a deserved success in the Group Two Persimmon Homes Flying Childers Stakes over five furlongs, and will bid to give trainer Kevin Ryan a second consecutive triumph in the Shadwell Middle Park Stakes following the victory of Amadeus Wolf 12 months ago

The field is completed by the well-regarded Aidan O´Brien-trained Listed winner Brave Tin Soldier, and the progressive Barry Hills-trained Captain Marvelous.