Our ambassador was on the scene at Ripian on Saturday, broadcasting live on Sky Sports Racing, and she is eager to team up with a highly regarded two‑year‑old for jockey Archie Watson on Sunday. I was thrilled with Romance Spirit's maiden victory over a mile at Southwell earlier this month, so I anticipate she will be difficult to beat in the Napoleons Casino and Restaurant Leeds Restricted Maiden Stakes (2:15 pm) at Ripon on Saturday. Romance Spirit, one of five runners at the Garden Racecourse, is a daughter of Teofilo trained by Marco Botti.
She travelled like the leader for much of the way on the Tapeta, but a touch of greenness ultimately cost her. Her dam is out of a Dubawi mare, which means stamina is abundant in her pedigree, and she is certainly ready for the extra two furlongs the race offers. Our draw is favourable, and I hope she can handle the course’s famous undulating terrain. Seven Questions has already shown his class at Ripon, a factor that should give him an edge in the afternoon’s feature sprint, the Ripon Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap (4:10 pm).
He is a former George Scott winner, has been heavily campaigned, and recently dropped back to a very attractive weight, confirming his soundness with a solid third place at Pontefract on his first start of the year a few weeks ago. I expect him to be sharper after that run; although a higher draw would have been preferable, I believe he can deliver a strong performance from the low draw, the best he has had since his Leicester nursery victory. Never miss a story with the latest racing news, interviews and features on your phone. Find out more.
I am also looking forward to seeing what Archie Watson’s filly Blue Nguru can achieve this season after her breakthrough win over the minimum distance on the all‑weather surface at Lingfield Park in December. Stepping up to six furlongs in the Watch Sky Sports Racing In HD Handicap (5:20 pm) seems ideal for our daughter of Blue Point, who I hope will stay on an unchanged mark of 71 pounds.
Our recent mission to North Yorkshire was a success when two‑year‑old Niewiadoma won on debut at Thirsk, so I am hopeful Blue Nguru can follow suit. I will be riding two runners at Ripon for trainer Dave Loughnane, starting with Thunda Struck in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes (1:40 pm). I don’t know much about Thunda Struck, but I did ride a winner at Chester last year for her enthusiastic owners, the Let’s Be Lucky Partnership.
A breakthrough win at Nottingham gives her stablemate The Sweet Escape a realistic chance in the Sue’s 60th Birthday Occasion Handicap (4:45 pm). He appears to relish dropping back to a mile, and a three‑pound increase leaves him on a workable weight of just 62 pounds. Having already secured victories with three two‑year‑olds in the past week, I can’t wait to see what Archie Watson’s Phalanx Nation can do in the EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes (2:48 pm) at Nottingham on Sunday.
She is a big‑boned Sioux Nation filly who has come to hand early and is primed to hit the track. I have worked with her extensively in the yard, and she possesses a brilliant mind. If she translates that work ethic into a race, I am confident she will make a strong impression for her owners, Victorious Forever, who have given me many magical moments with the great Bradsell.
The traditional Classic trials at Newbury last weekend did not disappoint, with the Group Three Greenham Stakes proving particularly insightful. While Karl Burke’s Alparslan dominated his rivals, I was most impressed by Eve Johnson‑Houghton’s Zavateri, a genuine eye‑catcher. Eve noted that Zavateri has grown considerably over the winter and once again displayed an excellent attitude, finishing a close second. I was also delighted to see Tom Marquand’s mount Needle Match hold on to finish fourth at long odds.
William Haggas’s colt possesses the potential to improve further over a mile and is definitely one to watch. Touleen fell short in the fillies’ trial, the Fred Darling, but she is making her first start since September and is not one to give up easily. I was thrilled for Jack Channon, who rode Sukanya to victory, and she will be a strong contender for the Irish 1000 Guineas. Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, sharing her optimism and strategic plans for the weekend’s races.