Betfred Dante Stakes
Group 2, York 15:15 £150,000 added, 3yo only, 1m 2f 88y, Class 1
Thursday 14th May 2015

1 Golden Horn 4/1
2 Jack Hobbs 2/1F
3 Elm Park 7/2
NR: Medrano
7 ran Distances: 2¾l, 3¼l, 13l
TIME 2m 8.74s (slow by 1.74s)

A 1-2 for John Gosden in the Dante Stakes at York as Golden Horn wins under William Buick from stablemate Jack Hobbs

Golden Horn

Buick's mount was the perceived second string of John Gosden's two runners, going off at odds of 4-1 as opposed to 2-1 favourite and stablemate Jack Hobbs with bolt colts unbeaten heading into the key Derby trial.

However, Golden Horn showed an excellent switch of gears to collar leader Elm Park, surging past Jack Hobbs in the process, with the trio pulling well clear of the rest.

The Anthony Oppenheimer-owned winner does not currently hold an engagement in the Investec Derby.

Buick said: "That was a very good performance from a very good horse. He keeps progressing.

"He switched off well. It was a very good race, an even pace and he's a very exciting horse.

"To ride a horse like this is what it's all about, he's got so many gears - it's just point and shoot.

"He's come forward from Newmarket (Feilden Stakes) and that was only his third run, so you could see a lot of improvement."

Gosden said: "It's very much up to Mr Oppenheimer (whether Golden Horn goes to Epsom). He's been very firm with me that he's a mile-and-a-quarter horse and he told me that all along, so we will see.

"The jockey felt he finished strongly today. He's a horse who has really come on since he won the Feilden Stakes. When he won the Feilden, we said we'd come to the Dante and that's what we've done.

"His work on Friday was superb. Coming up on the train today, I knew they could well be first and second but I half felt this guy is the professional at the moment.

"The other horse ran great, but was stacked three wide the whole way and I told William to tuck in at the back and go to sleep as he has a good turn of foot. He had a dream trip, but Jack was rather wide all the way and then babyish and wondering what to do.

"Frankie (Dettori) said he was waiting for him to tell him, so I'm delighted with his run and I think the third horse (Elm Park) gives you a very solid benchmark of form. He's a Group One horse and the fourth was a long way back.

Jack Hobbs
© Racehorse Photos

"Jack Hobbs could go to Epsom or the King Edward VII (at Royal Ascot). He's still a very tall, lanky, rangy, talented horse. He won his handicap off 85 doing handstands, so I would just like to think about it.

"He doesn't have to answer those questions now, and I'm sure Mr Oppenheimer will have a think about whether he wants to stump up the 75 grand or not (to supplement). That's his business, not mine.

"Golden Horn is a well-balanced horse and he's neat, whereas Jack Hobbs is a big, rangy boy - they are different types. I can see the logic in supplementing him, but it's not my money."

Aidan O'Brien confirmed that John F Kennedy and Ol' Man River will not go to Epsom after disappointing runs today.

Betfred Dante Stakes (Group 2)
£160,000 added, 3yo only, 1m 2f 88y, Class 1
7 ran
Going: Good