HOBBS SET TO MAKE HIS QUALITY COUNT Britain’s No 1 tipster
JOHN GOSDEN has made very few mistakes this year and JACK HOBBS (Ascot, 3.05) will crown a stellar Flat campaign with victory in today’s Qipco Champion Stakes.
A quartet of Group One victories for Golden Horn and assorted other top-table prizes for the likes of Shalaa and Star Of Seville have ensured the 2015 season has been an unparalleled success for the Newmarket handler.
The 64-year-old has been keen to protect Jack Hobbs this term, viewing the son of Halling as a long-term project and one which will mature i nto a top- class middle - distance horse next season.
Following an industrious first half of the season, the selection was given a break after turning the Irish Derby into a rout and he has completed his preparation for today’s prestigious contest with a routine comeback Kempton win and an impressive recent piece of work on Newmarket’s Rowley Mile.
Of his chief rivals, Found could and should have finished closer to Golden Horn in the Arc and, on a line of form through Gosden’s Paris hero, could beat Jack Hobbs if the travelling and exertions have not caught up with her.
Vadamos has looked a better proposition since being dropped in trip, while Racing History has illustrious hoof prints to follow as a full brother to 2013 winner Farhh. However, Jack Hobbs is the class act in t he field a nd is taken to continue his trainer’s Group One domination. beating Muhaarar in the Qipco British Champions Stakes.
Trainer James Fanshawe has a brilliant record when targeting Group One prizes.
It is surely a huge tip in itself that connections paid £40,000 to supplement The Tin Man, just two weeks after taking him out of this race and 24 hours before the improving son of Equiano won comfortably over course and distance.
The Tin Man’s half-brother, Deacon Blues, won this race in 2011 when it was a Group Two and the selection has the ability to match his heart if his recent performance is to be taken on trust.
The likes of Buckstay, GM Hopkins and Empire Storm all have strong claims in a fiercely- contested renewal of the Balmoral Handicap, but CHIL THE KITE ( Ascot, nap, 3.45) is a highly talented miler on his day and could be a value play with the classy George Baker on board.