Henrythenavigator got things off to a great start for Aidan O'Brien by cruising to a deceptively easy three-quarter of a length victory in the Coventry Stakes (Eng-II), the opening race of the Royal Ascot meeting.
The 2-year-old son of Kingmambo, who was making his stakes debut, was sent off as the favorite under jockey Mick Kinane. He came into the Coventry Stakes off an impressive seven-length victory in a maiden race at Gowran Park in May.
Kinane kept Henrythenavigator just off the pace set by front-running Cee Bargara, and the pair made their bid with just over two furlongs left. Pencil Hill and jockey Pat Shanahan came up to challenge them on the outside, but the Ballydoyle duo spurted away with a furlong to run.
Swiss Franc, a 25-1 outsider, ran on well to capture second, a head in front of Luck Money. Pencil Hill held on for fourth.
Final time for the six furlongs on the good to firm turf course was 1:12.46.
Henrythenavigator is the third foal out of the Sadler's Wells' mare, Sequoyah, who won the Moyglare Stud Stakes (Ire-I) as a 2-year-old. The colt is a full brother to Queen Cleopatra, winner of the Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial (Ire-I) in 2006.
