Having enjoyed the summer holiday John Gosden had promised him even before his emphatic success in the June 27 G1 Irish Derby at The Curragh, Jack Hobbs (GB) (Halling) has his racing head back on as he tackles Saturday's G3 September S. at Kempton. With all geared to the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Godolphin's color-bearer may be the main stable representative in that Oct. 4 Longchamp feature now that his G1 Epsom Derby conqueror Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) has been shown to have an achilles heel with regards to ground slower than good. His five-length defeat of the subsequent G2 Great Voltigeur S. winner Storm the Stars (Sea the Stars {Ire}) in the Irish Derby sets him apart from his exposed older rivals here. Jockey William Buick is keen to get back on board and said, “He's done very well for his break since the Irish Derby and it's a nice step for him before the Arc. Kempton is only down the road and it's a level, even surface–a surface which he trains on most days. I think it's a very good idea and he's in good shape. I think it can only help the horse the way John has chosen to do it. He's been pleasing everybody at home. He's always going to be a horse for the long term and I think physically he's done very well for the break. There's no question about it, he's a very exciting horse and I feel very privileged to ride a horse like him.”
Of his opponents, the one who holds the most intriguing piece of form is Niceofyoutotellme (GB) (Hernando {Fr}), having finished a close-up third behind Jack Hobbs' barnmate Western Hymn (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}) and the talented Arab Spring (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}) and in front of another Gosden heavyweight in Eagle Top (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) when third in Sandown's G3 Brigadier Gerard S. over 10 furlongs May 28.
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