Our ambassador will be on the scene at Ripon this Saturday, broadcasting live on Sky Sports Racing, and is eager to join forces with a highly‑rated 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 a tough contender in the Napoleons Casino and Restaurant Leeds Restricted Maiden Stakes (2:15 pm) at Ripon on Saturday. Among the five runners at the Garden Racecourse, the daughter of Teofilo, trained by Marco Botti, tracked the leader for much of the way on the Tapeta surface, but a touch of inexperience ultimately cost her. She is out of a Dubawi mare, meaning stamina is abundant in her pedigree, and the added two furlongs should suit her perfectly.
Our draw is also favourable, giving her a better chance of handling the track’s notorious undulations. Seven Questions has already proved himself at Ripon, which should give him an edge in the day’s feature sprint, the Ripon Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap (4:10 pm). A former George Scott winner, he has been heavily campaigned but recently dropped to an attractive weight and confirmed his fitness with a solid third at Pontefract on his first start of the year a few weeks ago. He should be sharper after that run, and although a higher draw would have been preferable, I expect a strong performance from the low draw he has not used since his Leicester nursery victory.
Never miss a story – get the latest racing news, interviews and features straight to your phone. Find out more. I’m also keen to see what Archie Watson’s filly Blue Nguru can achieve this season 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 (5:20 pm) looks ideal for our daughter of Blue Point, who I hope will stay on an unchanged mark of 71. We enjoyed a successful mission to North Yorkshire last weekend when two‑year‑old Niewiadoma won on debut at Thirsk, so I’m hopeful Blue Nguru can follow suit. I will ride two horses 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 her, but I did secure a win 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 chance in the Sue’s 60th Birthday Occasion Handicap (4:45 pm). He seemed to relish dropping back to a mile, and a three‑pound increase leaves him on a workable weight of just 62. Having already celebrated victories with three two‑year‑olds this 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, scopey Sioux Nation filly who has matured 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 training into a race performance, I am confident she will make a strong impression for her owners, Victorious Forever, who have given me countless magical moments with the great Bradsell, of course. See the latest horse racing news, interviews and features from Sky Sports Racing. The traditional Classic trials at Newbury last weekend lived up to expectations, with the Group Three Greenham Stakes providing 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 he has grown considerably over the winter and once again displayed a commendable attitude, finishing second. I was also pleased to watch Tom Marquand’s mount Needle Match hold on for fourth place at generous odds.
William Haggas’ colt has the potential to improve further over a mile and is certainly one to watch. Touleen fell just short of winning the fillies’ trial, the Fred Darling Stakes, but she is due for her first run since September and is not the type to give up easily. I was delighted for Jack Channon, who won with Sukanya; she will be well‑placed for the Irish 1000 Guineas. Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft.