Dubai: Godolphin’s Jack Hobbs, the second favourite to win Saturday’s Investec Derby (G1), has caught the attention of not just his supporters but also of the stables’ former retained rider Frankie Dettori.

The Italian ace, who will be aboard the favourite Golden Horn, stable companion to Jack Hobbs, believes the Halling colt represents a real threat to his chances of winning a second Epsom Classic and first since Authorized nine years ago.

The unbeaten Golden Horn assumed favouritism for this weekend’s big race when he posted an imperious two-and-three-quarter-length victory over Jack Hobbs in last month’s Dante Stakes (G2), one of the hottest Derby trials, with nine horses having progressed to win Britain’s richest and most famous race.

However, Dettori, who was on board Jack Hobbs on that occasion, told the Racing Post: “I am frightened of Jack Hobbs. I still think he is a good horse.

“My horse is favourite, he won his trial well and of course I am excited to be riding him. We will see what happens on Saturday.”

Without a shred of doubt, the Derby hinges on a horse’s stamina and ability to adapt to the challenges of Britain’s toughest course.

But trainer John Gosden, who saddled Benny The Dip to win the race in 1997, is confident that both his hopefuls will stay the 2,400 metre distance.

“I am pretty sure that Jack Hobbs will get the trip and Golden Horn will probably get it on account that he is very laid back,” Gosden, who has trained more than 2,600 winners, said after watching his pair train at Epsom during a ‘Breakfast With The Stars’ event.

“That will help him as, if it is a true test, he will need to see out the mile-and-a-half.

“I wanted Frankie to stay with his lead horse on Golden Horn as he is a good lead horse, while I was keen on Jack Hobbs coming away from his lead horse Marzocco as he is a stayer and having a look. They were matched up well.

“Golden Horn was asleep, and that temperament is a big plus. If you don’t relax early on you won’t stay.

“Jack Hobbs is an equally laid back horse, but he was very much on the ball.”

The Gosden duo completed final preparations for Saturday’s much-anticipated race in separate gallops at Newmarket.

“Both Derby horses worked this morning and I was very happy with them,” the trainer said, “Jack Hobbs worked on the watered gallop, while across on the Limekilns, Golden Horn worked with Frankie Dettori.

“There was nothing different, they just worked with lead horses.

“I don’t think Jack Hobbs needs another serious piece of work, while Golden Horn would need another piece of serious work.”