I have a busy schedule at Ripon on Saturday, with live coverage on Sky Sports Racing, and I'm also looking forward to teaming up with a promising two-year-old for Archie Watson on Sunday. Romance Spirit made a pleasing debut in a one-mile maiden at Southwell earlier this month, so I'm expecting big things from her in the Napoleons Casino And Restaurant Leeds Restricted Maiden Stakes at Ripon on Saturday. One of my five rides at the track, Marco Botti's Teofilo filly traveled well but ultimately fell short due to inexperience.
With a Dubawi mare as her dam, stamina shouldn't be an issue, and the extra two furlongs should suit her. A favorable draw also works in our favor, so hopefully, she can handle the track's notorious undulations.
Seven Questions has already proven himself at the track, which is a significant advantage in the Ripon Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap. After being highly tried, he's now at an attractive mark and demonstrated his well-being with a solid third-place finish at Pontefract a couple of weeks ago.
He should be sharper for that run, and although a higher draw would have been preferred, I'm anticipating a strong performance from him. I'm excited to see what Archie Watson's filly Blue Nguru can achieve this year after her breakthrough win at Lingfield Park in December. Stepping up to six furlongs in the Watch Sky Sports Racing In HD Handicap looks ideal for our Blue Point daughter, and I believe she's well-treated off an unchanged mark of 71. We had a successful trip to North Yorkshire last weekend, with two-year-old Niewiadoma scoring on debut at Thirsk, so hopefully Blue Nguru can follow suit.
I'll be riding two horses at Ripon for Dave Loughnane, starting with Thunda Struck in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes. Although I don't know much about her, 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 prospects in the Sue's 60th Birthday Occasion Handicap. He seemed to enjoy dropping back to a mile, and a three-pound rise leaves him on a workable mark of just 62.
After winning with three two-year-olds already in the past week, I'm eager to see what Archie Watson's Phalanx Nation can do in the EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes at Nottingham on Sunday. She's a big, scopey Sioux Nation who has come to hand early and is ready to go to the track. I've ridden her in a lot of her work at home, and she has a great mind.
If she can translate her homework to a race, I'm sure she'll make a good impression for her owners Victorious Forever, who gave me many magical moments with the great Bradsell. The traditional Classic trials at Newbury last weekend didn't disappoint, with the Group Three Greenham Stakes looking particularly informative.
While Karl Burke's Alparslan dominated the field, I was most impressed by Eve Johnson Houghton's Zavateri, who was a serious eyecatcher. Eve says he's grown a lot over the winter, and once again, he impressed with his attitude, running on to be second.
I was also delighted to see Tom's mount Needle Match staying on to be fourth at big odds. William Haggas' colt has the potential to be even better over a mile and is one to watch. Touleen couldn't quite win the fillies' trial, the Fred Darling, but she's entitled to come on for her first outing since September and isn't one to give up on.
I was delighted for Jack Channon, who won it with Sukanya, and she will be well worth her place in the Irish 1000 Guineas.