Our ambassador will be on the scene at Ripon this Saturday, broadcasting live on Sky Sports Racing, and 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 at 2:15 p.m. on Saturday at Ripon. Romance Spirit, one of five runners at the Garden Racecourse, is a daughter of the champion sire Teofilo and was ridden by Marco Botti’s daughter.
She tracked the leader for much of the way on the Tapeta surface, but a touch of greenness ultimately cost her. Her pedigree includes a Dubawi mare on the dam side, which supplies ample stamina, and she is definitely primed for the added two furlongs. Our draw is favourable, giving her a good chance to handle Ripon's notorious undulating terrain.
Seven Questions, already a proven performer at this venue, should benefit from that familiarity in the afternoon’s headline sprint, the Ripon Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap at 4:10 p.m. The horse previously won for trainer George Scott, has been well‑tried, and recently produced a solid third place at Pontefract in his first start of the year. That run suggests he will be sharper for the Ripon sprint.
Although I would have liked a better draw, I expect a strong effort from the low post, the best position he has enjoyed 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 looking forward to seeing 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.
seems ideal for this 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, and I am hopeful Blue Nguru can follow that pattern.
I will be riding two horses at Ripon for trainer Dave Loughnane, beginning with Thunda Struck in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes at 1:40 p.m. I know little about Thunda Struck, 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 stable‑mate The Sweet Escape a realistic chance in 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 rating of 62.
Having already secured three victories with 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 2:48 p.m. on Sunday at Nottingham. She is a big‑boned, scopey filly from the Sioux Nation line, who has shown early promise and is ready to tackle the track. I have worked with her extensively in the stable, and she possesses a keen mind.
If she can translate her training into race‑day performance, I am confident she will impress her owners, Victorious Forever, who have given me countless magical moments with the great Bradsell. The traditional Classic trial meetings at Newbury last weekend did not disappoint, with the Group Three Greenham Stakes providing valuable insight. While Karl Burke’s Alparslan dominated his rivals, I was most struck by Eve Johnson‑Houghton’s Zavateri, a true eyecatcher who has grown significantly over the winter and displayed a commendable attitude to finish second. I was also pleased to see Tom Marquand’s mount Needle Match hold on for a fourth‑place finish at generous odds.
William Haggas’s colt shows the potential to improve further over a mile and is certainly one to watch. Touleen fell short of winning the Fred Darling fillies’ trial, but she returns for her first run since September and remains a fighter. I was delighted for Jack Channon, who captured the race with Sukanya; she should be well‑placed for the Irish 1000 Guineas. Hollie Doyle concluded the broadcast with a conversation with Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, reflecting on the day’s highlights and looking ahead to the upcoming fixtures.