Expect Jack Hobbs to reverse Dante form with Golden Horn

John Gosden continues to take an unusually high standing in the 2015 Epsom Derby betting thanks to his Dante Stakes 1-2 Golden Horn and Jack Hobbs.

Jack Hobbs had begun York’s trial for the 1m4f Classic as the ante-post favourite, but is now available at 8/1 having found his stablemate too good.

Golden Horn won the day with a decisive burst from the furlong pole, having travelled nicely into contention up the home straight of the 1m2f contest and was going away at the line.

He is now 2/1 market leader for the Derby, with Gosden confirming he would be supplemented for the race closer to the time barring any mishaps.

However, the accomplished nature of his victory suggests that his stablemate is a modicum overpriced to turn the tables on him at Epsom, with another race’s worth of experience under his belt.

Unlike Golden Horn, who scored at Listed level on his season debut, the Dante was Jack Hobbs’ first run at a high level after destroying a handicap field by upwards of 12l on his Classic-season bow.

While the Dante victor travelled pleasingly into the race and powered clear, Jack Hobbs was off the bridle early on in the home straight before reclaiming the bit and throwing down a strong challenge to finish under 3l adrift.

Notably, as the Gosden pair moved past Andrew Balding’s Elm Park, Frankie Dettori seemed to stop putting pressure on his mount earlier than William Buick did on the winner, suggesting there should be more to come in another race down the track.

With Golden Horn originally targeted at the French Derby, the worry with backing him at such a short price for Epsom is that he seemed so well suited by the 1m2f on the Knavesmire.

Out of Halling, whose sons Cavalryman and Opinion Poll are high-class stayers, Jack Hobbs would appear to be the more sure of getting home over an additional 2f.

Having raced as if he would gain more from the experience than his stablemate, it would be no surprise to see him improve past the current favourite on the downs.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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