Our ambassador took to the track at Ripon this Saturday, broadcasting live on Sky Sports Racing, and is eagerly anticipating a partnership 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 expect her to be a tough contender in the Napoleons Casino And Restaurant Leeds Restricted Maiden Stakes at 2:15 p.m. on Saturday at Ripon.
Among the five rides scheduled for the Garden Racecourse, the filly—by Teofilo and trained by Marco Botti—raced like the eventual winner for much of the Tapeta circuit, but inexperience ultimately cost her. She descends from a Dubawi mare, which means stamina is plentiful in her pedigree, and the extra two furlongs should suit her perfectly. Our draw is favorable, giving her a better chance of handling the course’s notorious undulations. Seven Questions has already proven his mettle at Ripon, an advantage as we head into the afternoon’s headline sprint, the Ripon Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap at 4:10 p.m.
This horse, a former winner for trainer George Scott, has been well‑tried and recently dropped to a very attractive weight. He confirmed his fitness with a solid third place at Pontefract in his first start of the year a couple of weeks ago. He should be sharper now, and although a higher draw would be preferable, I anticipate a strong performance from the low post, the best position he has enjoyed since winning a Leicester nursery. Never miss a story—catch the latest racing news, interviews and features on your mobile device.
Find out more. I’m also keen to see what Archie Watson can achieve with the filly Blue Nguru 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 at 5:20 p.m. appears ideal for this daughter of Blue Point, who I hope will stay on an unchanged rating of 71.
Our recent trip to North Yorkshire was a success when two‑year‑old Niewiadoma won on debut at Thirsk, and I hope Blue Nguru can replicate that form. I will be riding two horses for Dave Loughnane at Ripon, beginning with Thunda Struck in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes at 1:40 p.m. I know little about her, but I did secure a win at Chester last year for her enthusiastic owners, the Let’s Be Lucky Partnership.
A breakthrough victory at Nottingham gives her stablemate The Sweet Escape a promising target in the Sue’s 60th Birthday Occasion Handicap at 4:45 p.m. He seemed to relish dropping back to a mile, and a three‑pound increase leaves him on a workable weight of 62. Having already celebrated wins with three two‑year‑olds in the past week, I am eager to see how Archie Watson’s Phalanx Nation performs in the EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes at Nottingham on Sunday at 2:48 p.m. She is a big‑bodied Sioux Nation filly who has shown early promise and is ready to give it her all on the track.
I have worked with her extensively in the gallops, and she possesses a keen intellect. If she can translate her training into race‑day performance, I am confident she will impress her owners, Victorious Forever, who have already provided me with countless magical moments alongside the great Bradsell. Stay tuned for the latest horse racing news, interviews and features from Sky Sports Racing.
The traditional Classic trial meetings at Newbury last weekend lived up to expectations, with the Group Three Greenham Stakes offering particular insight. 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 the colt has grown substantially over the winter and once again displayed a wonderful attitude, finishing second.
I was also delighted to see Tom Marquand’s mount Needle Match hold on for fourth place despite long odds. William Haggas’s colt shows the potential to improve further over a mile and is definitely one to watch. Touleen fell short of victory in the fillies’ trial, the Fred Darling Stakes, but she deserves a chance in her first run since September and is not one to give up easily.
I was thrilled for Jack Channon, who won the race on Sukanya; she will be well‑placed for the Irish 1000 Guineas. Hollie Doyle was interviewed by Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, sharing her thoughts on the day’s events and her plans for the upcoming fixtures.