Our ambassador was on the scene 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 hard‑to‑beat contender in the Napoleons Casino and Restaurant Leeds Restricted Maiden Stakes (2:15 pm) at Ripon on Saturday. The filly, one of five runners at the Garden Racecourse, is a daughter of Teofilo and was ridden by Marco Botti.
She travelled like the leader for much of the way on the Tapeta surface, but a touch of greenness ultimately cost her the win. Her pedigree is bolstered by a Dubawi mare on the dam side, providing ample stamina, and she is certainly ready for the added two furlongs. The draw is favourable, which should help her manage the track’s notorious undulations. Seven Questions has already proven his worth at Ripon, an advantage that should serve him well in the afternoon’s headline sprint, the Ripon Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap (4:10 pm).
The colt, a former George Scott trainee, has been heavily campaigned but recently dropped to an attractive weight and confirmed his fitness with a solid 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 higher draw, I anticipate a strong performance from the low draw he has not enjoyed since winning a Leicester nursery.
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 can achieve with the filly Blue Nguru this year 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) appears to be an ideal test for our daughter of Blue Point, who I hope will stay on an unchanged mark of 71.
Our recent mission 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 ride two entries for Dave Loughnane at Ripon, starting with Thunda Struck in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes (1:40 pm). I know little about her, but she delivered a winner for the enthusiastic owners of the Let’s Be Lucky Partnership at Chester last year. A breakthrough win at Nottingham gives her stablemate The Sweet Escape a promising run in the Sue’s 60th Birthday Occasion Handicap (4:45 pm).
He seemed to relish dropping back to a mile, and a three‑pound weight increase leaves him on a workable mark of just 62. Having already secured three victories with 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 (2:48 pm) at Nottingham on Sunday.
She is a large, scopey filly from the Sioux Nation bloodline, who has shown early promise and is ready to take on the track. I have ridden her in many of her home workouts, and she possesses a keen mind. If she can translate that preparation into a race, I am confident she will impress her owners, Victorious Forever, who have given me many magical moments with the great Bradsell. The latest horse racing news, interviews and features are available on 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 serious eyecatcher.
Eve noted that the colt has grown substantially over the winter and once again displayed a commendable attitude, finishing a solid 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 in the fillies’ trial, the Fred Darling, but she is returning for her first start since September and has shown resilience. I was delighted for Jack Channon, who won the trial with Sukanya; she will be well‑placed for the Irish 1000 Guineas. Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, sharing her insights on the day’s performances and her optimism for the upcoming races at Ripon and beyond.