Hellvelyn Targeting July Date

Hellvelyn is on course for the Darley July Cup after pleasing connections in his latest gallop.

Last year´s Coventry Stakes winner has yet to race this season after suffering from a bruised foot.

However, he is over that setback now and is being targeted at Newmarket´s Group One sprint on Friday week ? ground permitting.

'He went super and I was over the moon with his piece of work,' said trainer Bryan Smart.

'He does not like soft ground so we will have to wait and see what the ground is going to be like at Newmarket before we make any decision.

'Royston Ffrench rode him and his comments were that the work was very good.

'We need it to dry out. He doesn´t like soft ground, no doubt about it.'

Smart admits that having to make a seasonal debut in the Group One is not ideal.

'We have been struggling to find a race for him so that´s what we are going to have to do,' the Thirsk trainer went on.

'He´s had one racecourse gallop and hopefully that will have helped. He could have done with another one but we are doing everything we can and he will do another good piece of work before Newmarket.'

Hellvelyn, who was last seen when finishing fourth in the Middle Park Stakes last autumn, is generally available at 33-1 for the July Cup.

(C) PA Sport