KEMPTON

JACK Hobbs, runner-up in the Epsom Derby and clear-cut winner at the Curragh, warmed up in style for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Kempton on Saturday.

Starting at 5/1 on in the Group 3 totescoop6 September Stakes, he led well over two furlongs out for William Buick and soon pulled just over three lengths ahead of Sweeping Up with reliable handicapper Arab Dawn a modest third.

At the very least, Jack Hobbs represents top-class three-year-old form and must surely constitute some sort of threat to Treve early next month. This was his first outing since the Irish Derby and he was fresh to post, something that pleased John Gosden. “Yes, because he then switched off and relaxed,’’ the trainer said. “He was giving a 7lb penalty away, he won well and it was good to get a nice prep race into him. There is no reason not to go to France.’

Buick’s four-timer

Riding an Arc contender for Gosden and winning on Rouleau for Godolphin must make Buick feel that life is just about perfect.

A son of Exceed And Excel, Rouleau had to work hard in the Group 3 toteexacta Sirenia Stakes but held 20/1 chance Dream Destination by half a length. His fellow 2/1 joint-favourite King Of Rooks again disappointed and finished out of the money. “He was crying out for six furlongs and saw it out well,’’ said trainer Charlie Appleby. “He’s in the Mill Reef but we’ll keep an eye on the ground because Newbury can come up a bit soft. If it’s a sound surface that sort of Group 2 will be the next step forward.’’

Buick also won the two-mile handicap on Burmese and a division of the seven-furlong handicap on Dutiful Son. Karl Burke knows the time of day on the all-weather and his 12/1 shot Georgian Bay came back to his best when taking the London Mile Handicap, worth over £38,000, in the hands of 5lb claimer Jordan Vaughan.

The lad did well, coming from a wide draw and then kicking hard once in line for home. Georgian Bay beat Spirit Raiser by a length and a half and may follow up in this mood, though the feeling persists that last week was the plan.