York Preview: Dante Stakes (15.15)

Jack Hobbs can take the step up into Group 2 company in his stride to land the Dante Stakes at York today (15.15), and strengthen his position at the head of the betting for the Investec Derby.

The John Gosden trained colt is unbeaten in two starts, scoring by three lengths on debut at Wolverhampton before putting in a devastating display to land a handicap at Sandown by 12 lengths.

Jack Hobbs travelled powerfully throughout in the latter, and after challenging out wide on the bridle three from home showed a blistering turn of foot to power clear and put the race to bed.

Although it was only a handicap, in which Jack Hobbs was running off a rating of just 85, the manner of the success marked him out as something special.

That view was confirmed by the clock, as the race was the quickest of the day on the round course and Jack Hobbs produced some stunning sectionals.

This son of Halling covered the last four furlongs in 50.05 seconds, and despite jockey Frankie Dettori easing down heavily clocked 13.20 seconds in the final furlong.

Those are superb times, and Jack Hobbs clearly has a huge engine and the potential to go right to the top.

The frightening thing is that Jack Hobbs has also had just two races and is a brute of a horse open to stacks more improvement.

He does face a stiff task on official ratings, and has 8lb to find on Elm Park and 4lb on John F Kennedy.

However, given his rate of progress that doesn’t look a massive ask and I fully expect him to rise to the task and land the hat-trick.