Hollie Doyle is gearing up for a packed Saturday at the races, and she shares her anticipation in an exclusive blog post. Her trainer, Archie Watson, has dispatched two promising youngsters from his Lambourn yard to Thirsk for the upcoming meeting, and Doyle will be making the journey north to mount them. The first of the pair, a two‑year‑old filly named NIEWIADOMA, is a daughter of the well‑regarded sire Cotai Glory.
She is set to make her long‑awaited British debut in the EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes over 1 mile 3½ furlongs. Doyle has worked the filly several times in preparation for this maiden day at school and is delighted with what she sees. The youngster, bought for £40,000 as a yearling, possesses a natural turn of foot and an affable disposition that makes her a pleasure to train.
Her five rivals are all novices to the racecourse, which adds an extra layer of intrigue. Among them is Karl Burke’s Blue Point‑bred, Bai Tong, who fetched a respectable 125,000 guineas at auction. The field is a true maiden’s contest, meaning the outcome will largely be decided by the horses’ inherent ability and the skill of the riders on the day. The second horse Doyle will ride is MERLIER, a sprinter who has shown steady improvement on all‑weather surfaces.
She will contest the Stirrup Bar For Deli‑Style Dining Packages Handicap over 5 furlongs and 70 yards. MERLIER broke her maiden over five furlongs at Newcastle under Luke Morris, then followed up with a penalty win at Wolverhampton, earning an opening rating of 85 – a figure that seems appropriate given her performances. Beyond her own rides, Doyle highlights several other races on the Sky Sports Racing schedule.
She mentions the Seven Questions and Dyonisos showdown in the Silver Trophy at Ripon, a Derby hopeful named Raaheeb delivering a classy trial performance at Sandown, and Opera Ballo upsetting Field Of Gold in a mile race. She also nods to Dan Skelton’s pride after clinching the jumps trainers' championship. In the broader racing world, Doyle points out a tip on Aventure, who is backed to defeat Daryz in the Prix Ganay, and reminds readers to stay updated with the latest news, interviews and features via their mobile devices. Returning to her own mounts, Doyle notes that stepping into a handicap for the first time presents a different challenge for MERLIER.
She will be facing seasoned sprinters and has never raced on turf before, but the good ground should suit her, and she is pleased with a middle draw from stall five. Having been eased to a career‑low rating, MERLIER is expected to run close in the Join Racing TV Today Handicap over 3 furlongs and 58 yards.
She also reflects on the gelding WARM SPELL, who has produced respectable runs for Mark Loughnane after being transferred from the care of Roger Varian. Her husband Tom (riding under the Marquand colours) piloted him to a Listed victory as a two‑year‑old, beating the future star Dancing Gemini. Warm Spell’s recent efforts over seven furlongs at Sandown and Kempton Park last autumn, where he finished close behind higher‑rated rivals, suggest he can be competitive over his usual distance and may benefit from a fresh start this season.
A special mention goes to veteran northern trainer Wilf Storey, who was a steadfast supporter when Doyle was an apprentice a decade ago. She will be riding his course‑and‑distance winner IDYLLIC in the Happy 21st Birthday Lily Watkinson Handicap over 4 furlongs and 32 yards.
IDYLLIC, a mare who captured a similar rating at the same track last summer, should relish the familiar conditions. Mark Walford, fresh from a flying performance at Ripon where he completed his first flat treble, will have his new recruit SOLAR BIRICZ in the Nick Simpson Cannot Be 60 Handicap over 2 furlongs and 47 yards. The gelding, a 5‑furlong handicap winner at Doncaster for Brian Ellison last summer, will stretch out to six furlongs for the first time, giving Walford and his team a valuable learning experience. Doyle also expresses hope that trainer Eve Johnson Houghton and jockey Charlie Bishop can keep their Classic ambitions alive with Betfred 2000 Guineas hopeful ZAVATERI in the Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes (2 miles) at Newbury, broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing.
ZAVATERI, a son of Without Parole, capped a glittering juvenile campaign with a Group 1 National Stakes win in Ireland. Although he looked a little uncomfortable on the undulating Newmarket track in his final start in the Dewhurst, his form was validated when Oxagon, who finished just behind him, won the Craven Stakes.
The blog also touches on Albert Einstein, who disappointed in a Listed race at the Curragh three weeks ago, yet trainer Aidan O'Brien has entered him again over seven furlongs, hinting at a possible sprint campaign later in the summer. Looking ahead to Saturday’s Group 3 Fred Darling Stakes (officially the Dubai Duty Free Stakes) at Newbury, Doyle sees an open field with several fillies of comparable ability.
She believes Shadwell’s TOULEEN, who underperformed in the Rockfel last autumn, has improved and could be a serious contender. Owen Burrows’ filly, who won on debut at the same track, may also thrive, though she will face a strong challenge from Richard and Peter Fahey’s Catching The Moon, a proven Group performer now partnered with Ryan Moore. Young trainer Jack Channon could achieve a notable double if his URBAN LION adds the Win Unique Experiences at OLBG Prizes Spring Cup Handicap (3 furlongs and 10 yards) at Newbury to his recent Lincoln victory.
Doyle also highlights a narrow win by Rogue Diplomat on Town Moor, suggesting that the horse still has room for improvement and could confirm his form for a progressive yard, delivering another notable success for trainer Eddie Greatrex. She expects Simon and Ed Crisford’s Shout to perform better than his Doncaster run, especially with champion jockey Oisin Murphy aboard.
Finally, Doyle hopes to see veteran Al AASY capture the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes (John Porter) over 2 miles and 35 furlongs for trainer Tom (Marquand) and William Haggas. The nine‑year‑old is a true lover of the track and could keep Karl Burke’s likely favourite Convergent on his toes.
The blog concludes with Doyle’s gratitude for the platform provided by Sky Sports Racing and a nod to the host, Simon Mapletoft, who conducted the interview.