Inca hits Newbury Heights on racecourse bow

could be calling for after he made a tenacious winning debut at .

By trainer Clive Cox’s Coventry Stakes-winning Nando Parrado, the colt was sent off 17-2 for the Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup EBF Maiden Stakes and showed a fine attitude to deny Richard Hannon a hat-trick in a race that has been won by some smart operators in recent times.

Cox said: “That was wonderful and I couldn’t be happier. Today was very much a first day at school but he’s carried it out impeccably.

“To be honest I was managing expectations and it’s been so dry at home we haven’t been on the grass for the last three weeks, so I think that performance shows we have an awful lot to look forward to.

“Of course you now start thinking about Royal Ascot and we will work backwards from there and manage him accordingly.

“I think there were some nice-looking horses in the paddock and I’m over the moon with that. He’s shown a great, willing attitude and I couldn’t be more pleased.”

Cox will now bide his time before deciding on whether Inca Heights will step up in trip or remain at the minimum five furlongs.

However, it was a victory that gave him further pleasure given the success he enjoyed with both the colt’s sire and his owners, who have previously enjoyed great days alongside the Lambourn handler with the exceptional dual Group One-winner Reckless Abandon and popular speedster Tis Marvellous.

“We’ll just sit tight on distance for now and he galloped out really strong after the line,” continued Cox.

“David (Probert) has ridden him at home a few times and popped him out the stalls the other morning so did have some prior knowledge of him. He can only progress from this start you would hope.

“His owners Steve Barrow and Julie Deadman are longstanding owners of mine from the Tis Marvellous and Reckless Abandon days and it is great to have another exciting prospect for them, especially one by Nando Parrado, who was such a good two-year-old for us back in covid days when he won the Coventry.”