2016 British Champions Day: Zhukova holds all the aces in Fillies and Mares

Zhukova to silence Seventh Heaven in Fillies and Mares

Zhukova has done nothing but impress this season and can take the step up into Group 1 company in her stride to land the 1m 4f Champion Fillies and Mares Stakes at Ascot (14.35).

Trained in Ireland by Dermot Weld, the four-year-old put in a stunning performance on her penultimate outing when slamming the useful Pretty Perfect by 7 1/2 lengths in a Group 3 at Naas.

After travelling powerfully throughout in the hands of Pat Smullen, Zhukova breezed into the lead 1 1/2 furlongs from home before storming clear to beat a rival who has subsequently run a blinder to finish a close second to Simple Verse in the Group 2 Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster.

Impressive at Leopardstown

The daughter of Fastnet Rock has since gone on to beat Investec Derby runner-up US Army Ranger by 1/2 a length in a similar grade affair at Leopardstown, where she was value for far more than the winning margin, having idled in front after being three lengths clear entering the final furlong.

It was a most taking performance and Zhukova is clearly thriving and looks the type who should have even more to offer.

Other pluses are that she handles all types of ground and hails from a yard that has a good record with his runners at this venue.

Seventh Heaven a major player under Moore

Seventh Heaven has shown progressive form throughout the season and brings the strongest form into the contest.