Dubai: Godolphin’s newest, and perhaps most realistic bid to win the Group 1 Investec Derby at Epsom Racecourse in the UK today, appears to be at the mercy of the weather.

The astute Newmarket-based handler John Gosden, who trains recent acquisition Jack Hobbs for the stable, has warned that he could pull the son of Halling out of the contest if the ground at Epsom was too quick.

Gosden won the English blue riband in 1997 with Benny the Dip and is prepared to go to any lengths to ensure that the conditions are right for his trainee. He has also indicated that he will ‘walk’ the famous course before he commits to giving his star the go-ahead to start.

Friday morning rain [3mm by 10am] led to a minor going change at Epsom, with clerk of the course Andrew Cooper calling the ground good, good to soft in a few places, which may have worked in the 9/2 second favourite Jack Hobbs’ favour.

Should he be given the much hoped for green-signal, Jack Hobbs will face 11 rivals including stable companion Golden Horn, who beat him in the Dante Stakes (G2) last month, and Elm Park ([7/1], the horse who finished third in that Derby prep.

Another horse with strong claims is the 6/1 third favourite Giovanni Canaletto, a full-brother to 2013 Derby winner Ruler Of The World.

“He’s a progressive horse, but he’s still a little bit of a work in progress,” Gosden said. “He’s learning a lot, but whether he’d be the physical type for Epsom is a debatable moot point.

“Benny The Dip winning the Derby was a great day — it was a bit of a frightening photo-finish. I love the race, but I like to come to Epsom with the feeling that we can get some prize-money as it is our most valuable race.

“It is about having the right horses. The worst thing for jockeys is being put on Formula 2 horses in Formula 1 races.”

William Buick, Godolphin’s recently recruited jockey, must be hoping that Jack Hobbs can become the first horse to win the Derby in the Godolphin royal blue colours.

Lammtarra, who was trained by Godolphin’s Saeed Bin Surour, won the race in 1995 in the colours of Shaikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum.

The other Dubai hopeful is the Shaikh Juma Dalmouk Al Maktoum-owned Storm The Stars, who won the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes, a recognised prep race for the Derby.

He is trained by 1996 Epsom Derby-winning handler William Haggas, who said: “I’m not quite sure he’s ready for the Derby occasion. He sweated profusely at Goodwood, but he didn’t do a lot wrong in the race.

“He’s certain to stay, but he has about a stone to find to win a Derby, I think. He has made a good leap forward from every run he’s had this year, so he’s going the right way.

“He went round Chester and Goodwood without difficulty, so I would not be worried about his ability to handle Epsom. He is a well-balanced horse who is light on his feet.

“He is just a baby who has needed the experience of racing and my horses are in much better form now than when he was running earlier in the season.”

Ex-Godolphin pilot Frankie Dettori rides the favourite Golden Horn, but has admitted he was fearful of Jack Hobbs.

“I am frightened of Jack Hobbs,” Dettori said earlier in the week. “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 happens on Saturday.”