Dubka could step up and show class in race highlight

DUBKA failed to fire in the Ebor but taking a step up in class would not be beyond her in the DFS Park Hill Stakes – the highlight of day two of the St Leger meeting at Doncaster.

Sir Michael Stoute’s charge looked potentially well treated in last month’s handicap feature at York, but the decision to sit on the heels of the early leaders resulted in Dubka just lacking a change of pace when it was really needed in the finish.

It clearly did not help that her passage was also impeded at one point, but it would be fair to say that was a disappointing result.

However, the good ground that day may not have been totally ideal and large fields are not every horse’s cup of tea, so she may be better judged on her previous Pattern race efforts.

Beaten by just a neck in the Lillie Langtry at Goodwood, Dubka was also a length-and-a-half behind Bateel at Haydock earlier in the year – form which has taken on an extra dimension following the Prix Vermeille success.

Dubka will obviously have to be at the height of her powers here if she is to trouble the judge, but the soft ground and presence of Ryan Moore in the saddle certainly bolster confidence.