IT'S HIP HIP CURRAGH; Jack Hobbs buries pain of Epsom blow by winning the Irish Derby.

Byline: Rockavon

Epsom Derby second Jack Hobbs went one better in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh.

John Gosden's colt was sent off a hot 10-11 favourite and travelled sweetly in third place for much of the 1m4f trip under William Buick.

The three-year-old was sent into the lead just over a furlong out and powered clear to beat Storm The Stars (10-1) in tremendous style by five lengths.

Giovanni Canaletto (8-1) stayed on well in the closing stages for third just ahead of Kilimanjaro (20-1).

Gosden said: "We'll put him away for the Prix Niel at Longchamp in September and go for the Arc after.

"He'll be better at four because he's quite light framed and needs a bit more time to fill out.

"I loved the way he finished his race out - it's solid Epsom form and William waited with him, which was the right thing to do."

By Rockavon " Betfred soon reacted by cutting Jack Hobbs to 8-1 from 12s for the Arc.

Earlier, Painted Cliffs (7-1) gave Aidan O'Brien his 12th winner of the Group 2 GAIN Railway Stakes.

Ryan Moore kicked for home a furlong out on the son of Canford Cliffs who quickly forged clear to account for Rockaway Valley (11-8 Fav) by three lengths.

O'Brien said: "We liked him before he ever ran but he disappointed the first day and my son Joseph said that he was very idle and babyish.

"We put the blinkers on him at Leopardstown to help him concentrate and I wasn't sure if it was just a bad race or that the blinkers worked. Ryan said he's a very nice horse. He likes him. Maybe we could leave the blinkers off him in future."

Painted Cliffs is now a general 25-1 chance for next year's 2000 Guineas.

British handler Dandy Nicholls enjoyed a winner on the card with Sovereign Debt (9-2) in the Listed Dubai Duty Free Celebration Stakes.

The six-year-old pulled clear in the closing stages to see off Flight Risk (11-2) by five lengths in the hands of Chris Hayes.

CAPTION(S):

GLORY RUN Gosden savours Curragh win

JACK'S THE LAD Classy Jack Hobbs gave Derby rivals no quarter