Jack Hobbs wins Arc prep Jack Hobbs enjoyed the perfect preparation for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with victory in the totescoop6 September Stakes at Kempton. The Irish Derby winner was sent off at odds of 1-5 for the mile-and-a-half contest and never looked in danger at any stage. Ridden by William Buick, the Halling colt - who finished runner-up to stablemate Golden Horn at Epsom and in the Dante at York - was soon tracking leader Aussie Reigns and moved with ease throughout. Nosing marginally in front straightening for home, Buick asked John Gosden's charge to quicken inside the two pole and the response was immediate as he powered clear for a three-and-a-quarter-length success from Sweeping Up. Paddy Power left the winner unchanged for Paris on October 4 at 11-2, with Bet Victor doing likewise at 7-1. Gosden said: "I hadn't done a lot of work with him and he was fresh down to the start, but in the race William managed to switch him off and get him relaxed, and that is important. "There's no reason why we won't go to France and he has won well today. "We were happy to get a nice prep race at home, rather than travelling over to France (Prix Niel next weekend) and then travelling over again. "I think he is an improving horse and like his father he will get better at four and five, there is no reason he won't improve with age."
