Jack Hobbs has Irish Derby on his radar Jack Hobbs could be headed to the Curragh after his cracking performance in finishing second in the Investec Derby at Epsom. Beaten by Golden Horn in the Dante at York last month, Jack Hobbs again had to settle for the runner-up spot behind his stable companion, three and a half lengths in arrears in a one-two for Newmarket handler John Gosden. The trainer said: "Jack has run the most superb race. He was beautifully balanced by William (Buick) down the hill into the straight. He ran a blinder and all being well he can go to Ireland (for the Irish Derby)." Buick, who is retained by owners Godolphin, said: "I'm very proud of him. It's all come very quick for him and he'll be a lovely horse in time. He ran a great race and they are two lovely horses, the first and second. "On the day the winner was just better. I knew when I pressed the button Frankie (Dettori) would be on my tail. It was a smooth race to ride in, he came there with a good chance and he ran his heart out. You'd have to look forward to him for the rest of his career. "I'm very happy for John Gosden, it's an unbelievable feat and I'm far from disappointed to be second." John Ferguson, bloodstock advisor to Sheikh Mohammed, who is the founder and driving force behind Godolphin, was also delighted with the performance. He said: "It was only the fourth race of his life and to run like that at Epsom was a fantastic achievement. We are thrilled to bits. "As we said when we bought into the partnership, it is all about the future. All today has done is told us that the future is really exciting because the Dante form has held up so well. His pedigree makes him even more exciting because he can become a globetrotter. "Jack Hobbs is going to get better and his physique suggests he will be a horse who just continues to improve. And you don't need to improve much on that. The Irish Derby is the likely target if he comes out of this race all right." William Haggas said of third home Storm The Stars: "I'm thrilled to bits, he ran great, and I'm even more delighted for Anthony Oppenheimer (owner of Golden Horn). He's been at it a long time with this breeding game and to breed one with a turn of foot like that is fantastic. "As for Storm The Stars, I'm chuffed to bits with him. He ran great, he was well ridden and he stayed on well. He'll stay further and he's going to be a nice horse and we'll look after him. "You'd have to look at that (the St Leger), but we'll just see how he is. He keeps getting better and third in the Derby - I'd have settled for that this morning." Giovanni Canaletto did best of Aidan O'Brien's three runners in fourth, one place ahead of French raider Epicuris. The Ken Condon-trained Success Days, who like the winner was supplemented, finished last of the 12 runners.
