Hollie Doyle looks ahead to a busy Saturday, featuring several key races, in her latest exclusive blog. Archie Watson is sending two promising young horses to Thirsk, where Doyle will be riding them, starting with the debut of two-year-old NIEWIADOMA in the British EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes.
Doyle is pleased with NIEWIADOMA's preparations and notes her natural speed and lovely attitude, although it's challenging to gauge her against her five debutant rivals. MERLIER, who has shown progress on the All-Weather, is set to compete in the Stirrup Bar For Deli-Style Dinning Packages Handicap, and Doyle is looking forward to getting back on board. Today, Zavateri and Albert Einstein face off in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury, with Zavateri being the one to beat. Doyle is expecting WARM SPELL to perform well in the Join Racing TV Today Handicap, given his eased career-low mark and suitable draw.
She will also ride IDYLLIC in the Happy 21st Birthday Lily Watkinson Handicap and SOLAR BIRICZ in the Nick Simpson Cannot Be 60 Handicap. Doyle is hoping Eve Johnson Houghton's ZAVATERI can keep Classic dreams alive in the Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes at Newbury. The Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Stakes looks like an open renewal, with several fillies holding similar prospects, including Shadwell's TOULEEN, who needs to improve on her previous performance.
Doyle expects URBAN LION to potentially supplement his win in the Lincoln by adding the Win Unique Experiences At OLBG Prizes Spring Cup Handicap. She is also hoping to see Al AASY secure a win in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes for Tom Marquand and William Haggas.