JACK’S THE LAD

NEWSBOY’S 1-2-3 1 JACK HOBBS 2 HIGHLAND REEL 3 DECORATED KNIGHT

JACK HOBBS makes the most appeal in a fascinating feature. After a 2015 that included a second in the Derby and a five-length triumph in the Irish version, Jack Hobbs suffered a fractured pelvis when pulled up in the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket in April last year. After recuperating during the summer, the son of Halling returned with a fine third in the Champion Stakes over this course and distance in October, and began his five-year-old campaign in tremendous style with a victory in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in March. Fitted with headgear, Jack Hobbs travelled with menace before hitting the front two furlongs out, having two and a quarter lengths to spare over Seventh Heaven at the line. Proven at 10 furlongs and on fast ground, he gets the vote over the doughty Highland Reel, who racked up a fifth top-level triumph when landing the Coronation Cup at Epsom 19 days ago. Decorated Knight has continued his upward curve with two Group 1 scores in 2017 and is preferred Ulysses to for third place.

JACK HOBBS can hit the bookies for six by landing the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (4.20, ITV) at Royal Ascot. The son of Halling, emphatic winner of the 2015 Irish Derby, was sidelined for most of last season with a fractured pelvis. But John Gosden nursed Jack Hobbs back to register a handsome victory in the Dubai Sheema Classic on Meydan’s World Cup undercard in March. Will Buick’s mount will be right at home under the conditions and can beat main rival Highland Reel to land today’s feature.