Dubai: Irish Derby (G1) hero Jack Hobbs hits the road to next month’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) when he returns after a two-month lay-off to contest the Group 3 September Stakes at Kempton Park on Saturday.

The mile and a half contest is being viewed as an unorthodox but crucial big-race warm-up for the Godolphin-owned colt who is trained by the renowned British handler John Gosden.

Jack Hobbs, who has won three of his five starts and was only beaten by stable-companion Golden Horn in the Epsom Derby (G1) in June, is the 1/3 favourite for the race, which Kempton officials are hoping will be promoted to Group 2 status at the end of the term.

“I know it’s Kempton [on an all-weather surface] but it’s right-handed, we can get a race back into him there and then go for the Arc,” Gosden told the Guardian.

Jack Hobbs is currently the 7/1 second favourite behind dual Arc-winner Treve for France’s October 4 showpiece while British bookmakers make him the 2/1 favourite should he run in the Irish Champion Stakes at the Curragh on September 13.

Godolphin are likely to be two-handed in the September Stakes with the Charlie Appleby-trained Tryster figuring among the 12 potential runners.

Kempton’s director of racing Barney Clifford told the Racing Post: “It’s wonderful to have a horse like Jack Hobbs being mentioned as possibly being targeted at the September Stakes.

“The Jockey Club prides itself on enhancement and the race has gone from strength to strength in recent years.”

Clifford also hopes Hobbs appearance in the race could act as a facilitator to help the race earn promotion to Group 2 status for its 2016 running.

“I’ve applied for Group 2 status and we’re on the fringes of it now. Prince Bishop - winner for the last two years - went on to win the Dubai World Cup, which provided a big lift for the race and it’s also been a springboard for Melbourne Cup and Woodbine contenders.

“If Jack Hobbs turned up and won, it could only increase our hopes of getting Group 2 status. That’s how we’d like to cement the race in future.”

A gelded son of Shamardal, Tryster has performed creditably on all-weather surfaces over the winter, winning five races on the trot.

Although he flunked his turf debut when beaten in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown in May Appleby remains positive of a good performance from the four-year-old.

“He’s in full training and I’ve been pleased with his preparation to date,” the Godolphin handler said.

“Sandown was his return to turf. We could say he’s a better horse on synthetics, but I think it’s more the style of racing on that surface that suits him more.

“A bigger field would suit him as well and he’s a horse that we’ve always held up. You’ve got to ride him with a lot of confidence and if it happens, it happens.

“He has to come through a gap and you have to sit tight on him and ride very cool on him.”