Zhukova Ready To Move Up In Grade Pat Smullen was impressed with Zhukova at Leopardstown on Saturday and feels she is up to competing at the highest level. The Dermot Weld-trained filly beat Derby runner-up US Army Ranger in the Enterprise Stakes and is now set to head to Ascot on Champions Day. "She's a filly we think is capable of taking the next step into Group One company and that is what we'll be thinking of for the rest of the year," Smullen told At The Races. "I was very impressed by her and you'd think with a bit more ease in the ground later in the year, that would suit her so there's a lot to look forward to." Weld and Smullen also won the Blandford Stakes when Shamreen battled back to beat Best In The World, who had beaten her at Cork the time before. "Shamreen was very good, she battled really well and it was a great opportunity for her," said Smullen. "She's a very valuable filly now after winning a Group Two but I think there's a little bit more to come from her. She looked like she was beat but battled back to win well."
