Hollie Doyle: Zavateri Stands Out in Greenham Stakes

This Saturday promises to be an exciting day of racing, with several key events taking place. I have the opportunity to ride two promising young horses for my boss Archie Watson at Thirsk. Our first runner, Niewiadoma, is a two-year-old filly making her debut in the British EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes. I've had the chance to ride her several times in preparation and am pleased with her progress. She has natural speed and a great attitude, which will serve her well in this initial outing. The competition is relatively unknown, as all of her rivals are also making their debuts, including Karl Burke's daughter of Blue Point Bai Tong. Later in the day, I'll be riding Merlier in the Stirrup Bar For Deli-Style Dining Packages Handicap. He has shown improvement on the All-Weather and I'm looking forward to getting back on him. He earned an opening rating of 85 after his wins at Newcastle and Wolverhampton, which seems fair. This will be his first time in a handicap, and he'll face proven sprinters, but I'm happy with our draw and expect him to perform well. Another horse I'm excited about is Warm Spell, who will be running in division one of the Join Racing TV Today Handicap. He has been eased to a career-low mark and I think he has a good chance of going close. I'll also be riding Idyllic in the Happy 21st Birthday Lily Watkinson Handicap, a mare who has won at the track before and should enjoy the conditions. Meanwhile, Solar Biricz will be making his debut for new trainer Mark Walford in the Nick Simpson Cannot Be 60 Handicap. This gelding won a 5f handicap at Doncaster last summer and will be stepping up to six furlongs for the first time. One of the highlight events of the day is the Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes at Newbury, where Zavateri will be facing off against Albert Einstein. Zavateri sets the standard after a strong juvenile campaign, including a win in the Group 1 National Stakes in Ireland. Albert Einstein's recent performance was disappointing, but it's interesting that Aidan O'Brien is running him again over seven furlongs. The Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Stakes, also known as the Fred Darling, looks like an open renewal with several fillies holding similar prospects. I think Shadwell's Touleen has the potential to do well, but will need to improve on her performance in the Rockfel last autumn. The Win Unique Experiences At OLBG Prizes Spring Cup Handicap at Newbury is another key event, where Urban Lion will be looking to build on his win in the Lincoln. It would be a notable achievement for young trainer Jack Channon if Urban Lion can add this win to his record. I also expect Simon and Ed Crisford's Shout to perform better than he did at Doncaster, with champion jockey Oisin Murphy in the saddle. Finally, I'm hoping to see Al Aasy win the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes for Tom Marquand and William Haggas. The nine-year-old loves this track and can give Karl Burke's likely favourite Convergent a run for his money.