Our ambassador is on the scene at Ripon this Saturday, broadcasting live on Sky Sports Racing, and is eager to join forces with a highly regarded two‑year‑old for Archie Watson on Sunday. I was thrilled by Romance Spirit's maiden debut over a mile at Southwell earlier this month, so I anticipate she will be difficult to beat in the Napoleons Casino & Restaurant Leeds Restricted Maiden Stakes at 2:15 p.m. on Saturday at Ripon. Among the five runners entered by Marco Botti at the Garden Racecourse, the Teofilo‑sired filly travelled like the leader for much of the way on the Tapeta surface, but inexperience eventually caught up with her.
She comes from a Dubawi mare, giving her a solid stamina pedigree, and the extra two furlongs should suit her perfectly. Our draw is favourable, which should help her handle the track’s notorious undulations. Seven Questions has already proved himself at Ripon, an advantage as the day’s feature sprint, the Ripon Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap at 4:10 p.m., approaches.
The colt, a former winner for trainer George Scott, has been heavily campaigned but has dropped to an attractive weight and confirmed his fitness with a good third place at Pontefract on his first start of the year a few weeks ago. He should be sharper now, and although I would have liked a better draw, I expect a strong performance from a low weight – the lowest he has carried since his Leicester nursery win. Never miss a story with the latest racing news, interviews and features on your phone. Find out more.
I am also keen to see what Archie Watson’s filly Blue Nguru can achieve after her breakthrough win over the minimum distance on the all‑weather at Lingfield Park in December. Stepping up to six furlongs in the Watch Sky Sports Racing In HD Handicap at 5:20 p.m. looks ideal for our daughter of Blue Point, who I hope will stay on an unchanged rating of 71. Our recent mission to North Yorkshire was a success when two‑year‑old Niewiadoma won on debut at Thirsk, so I hope Blue Nguru can emulate that performance.
I will be riding two horses at Ripon for Dave Loughnane, starting with Thunda Struck in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes at 1:40 p.m. I know little about her, but I did ride a winner for her enthusiastic owners, the Let’s Be Lucky Partnership, at Chester last year. A breakthrough win at Nottingham gives her stablemate The Sweet Escape a chance in the Sue’s 60th Birthday Occasion Handicap at 4:45 p.m. He seemed to enjoy dropping back to a mile, and a three‑pound increase leaves him on a workable rating of just 62.
Having already secured victories with three two‑year‑olds in the past week, I am eager to see what Archie Watson’s Phalanx Nation can accomplish in the EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes at 2:48 p.m. on Sunday at Nottingham.
She is a big‑boned, scopey Sioux Nation mare who has come to hand early and is ready to hit the track. I have ridden her in many of her home workouts and she possesses a brilliant mind. If she can translate that preparation into a race, I am confident she will impress her owners, Victorious Forever, who have given me countless magical moments with the great Bradsell.
The traditional Classic trials at Newbury last weekend did not disappoint, 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 serious eyecatcher who has grown substantially over the winter and again displayed a commendable attitude, finishing second. I was also pleased to see Tom Marquand’s mount Needle Match hold on to finish fourth at long odds.
William Haggas’s colt has the potential to improve further over a mile and is certainly one to watch. Touleen fell short of victory in the Fred Darling fillies’ trial, but she is entitled to a return after her first run since September and is not one to give up easily. I was thrilled for Jack Channon, who won the race with Sukanya, and she will be well‑placed for the Irish 1000 Guineas.
Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, sharing insights into the day’s races and her plans for the upcoming fixtures. The conversation highlighted the importance of careful preparation, strategic placement of horses, and the excitement of watching young talent develop on the British racing circuit. Overall, the Ripon meeting promises a blend of seasoned campaigners and promising juveniles, each with a story to tell.
From Romance Spirit’s stamina‑rich pedigree to Blue Nguru’s six‑furlong test, and from Seven Questions’s weight‑drop resurgence to Phalanx Nation’s early hand, the day offers a rich tapestry of narratives for racing enthusiasts. Stay tuned to Sky Sports Racing for live coverage, expert analysis, and the inevitable surprises that make each race day unforgettable.