Long-term ambitions for the Melbourne Cup have moved a step closer for English horse Just Hubert, a winner at Sandown.

A long-range bid for the Melbourne Cup has moved a step closer for Just Hubert, winner of the Young Stayers Handicap at Sandown.

A son of 2011 Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden, three-year-old Just Hubert is being targeted at next year's running of Australia's most famous race.

The William Muir-trained Just Hubert continued his upward curve when he backed up his last-start victory at Ripon at his first run over a mile and three-quarters (2800m).

Despite being involved in a late coming together with eventual runner-up Buckman Tavern, the 10-1 shot held on to victory by half a length.

"We bought him - me and the owner Clive (Edginton, Foursome Thoroughbreds) - as a foal, as we want to win the Melbourne Cup and that's the long-term plan," Muir said.

"Clive bred Red Cadeaux and he was beaten by his dad, Dunaden.

"We looked at loads of foals and he said 'see if we can buy this as his dad beat us by a pixel and it would be nice to change the tune'."