Dubai: John Gosden’s Golden Horn stormed to favouritism for the £1.3 million Investec Derby (G1) after running out a compelling winner of the Dante Stakes (G2), a major trail for next month’s glittering Epsom showpiece.

Ridden with confidence by Dubai World Cup (G1) winning jockey William Buick, the lightly-raced son of Godolphin’s star miler Cape Cross, eclipsed Derby favourite and stable companion Jack Hobbs and second choice Elm Park to record a cosy two and three quarter length victory on good ground at the Knavesmire.

Golden Horn does not hold an entry for Britian’s most famous race, which takes place on June 6, having been aimed at the French equivalent at Longchamp a week later.

However, following his third consecutive career victory, and arguably his most emphatic, the colt has triggered speculation that Gosden and his owners will take the decision to supplement him for the Derby.

British bookmakers were in a frenzy slashing Golden Horn’s odds to 5/2 (from 20s) as runner-up Jack Hobbs drifting to as low as 8/1 with Ladbrookes.

Norwegian-born Buick, who has won the majority of Britain’s top races with the exception of the Derby, told Channel 4 Racing: “That was a very good performance from a very good horse. He keeps progressing. He switched off well. It was a very good race, an even pace and he’s a very exciting horse.

“To ride a horse like this is what it’s all about, he’s got so many gears — it’s just point and shoot.

“He’s come forward from Newmarket [Feilden Stakes] and that was only his third run, so you could see a lot of improvement.”

Gosden, who won the Derby in 1997 with Benny The Dip, did not commit to an Epsom entry but said: “It’s very much up to Mr Oppenheimer [owner]”.

“He’s been very firm with me that he’s a mile-and-a-quarter horse and he told me that all along, so we will see.

“Coming up on the train today, I knew they [Golden Horn and Jack Hobbs] could well be first and second but I half felt this guy is the professional at the moment,” he added. “He had a dream trip, but Jack was rather wide all the way and then babyish and wondering what to do.

“Golden Horn is a well-balanced horse and he’s neat, whereas Jack Hobbs is a big, rangy boy — they are different types. I can see the logic in supplementing him, but it’s not my money.”

Assessing the Derby exchanges following the Dante, Michael Shinners, Sky Bet’s Racing PR Manager, said in the Sporting Life: “Connections had intimated after Newmarket that the French Derby would be the preferred option for Golden Horn but they may be forced into a rethink following that performance and it would be no surprise if he were supplemented.

“This looked a strong renewal of the Dante Stakes and he’s simply blown them away and we’ve responded by making him our 5/2 favourite from 20/1.”

Nafaqa, hoping to stake a claim for the Derby for owner Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, was a well-beaten fourth of seven runners after running out of steam inside the final furlong.