Incanto set for British bow

Per Incanto could have his first start for new connections in the CGA Hungerford Stakes at Newbury in England on Saturday.

The Italian import has been bought by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum and is now in the care of trainer John Dunlop at Arundel.

A three-year-old colt by Dubai World Cup winner Street Cry, he was a five-time winner in Italy including a Group Three triumph over six furlongs.

“We bought him a short while ago from Italy where he won a Group Three as well as four other races,” said Angus Gold, the owner’s racing manager.

“He has shown a lot of speed and he will probably run in the Hungerford but we need to see what his distance is going to be, whether it will be seven furlongs or even a mile.

“At the moment we are a bit in the dark about his capabilities and we need to see if he belongs in that company.

“He looked a decent horse in Italy and the reports from all the people I have talked to have been positive and I hope he can live up to his billing and turn into a decent horse here,” he told At The Races.

“An agent rang us up and suggested the horse so I had a look at the DVDs and I showed them to Sheikh Hamdan and he looks a fast horse.

“He’s by a young sire who looks to be doing the job so from a stallion point of view, if he can win some decent races here he would be an attractive proposition.”