Our ambassador will be on the scene at Ripon this Saturday, broadcast 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 first outing over a mile at Southwell in a maiden race earlier this month, so I anticipate she will be difficult to beat in the Napoleons Casino and Restaurant Leeds Restricted Maiden Stakes (2:15 pm) at Ripon on Saturday. Romance Spirit, one of five runners entered by Marco Botti, is a daughter of the influential stallion Teofilo. 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 includes a Dubawi mare, providing ample stamina, and she is certainly prepared for the added two furlongs in this contest. Our draw is favourable, which should help her handle the course's notorious undulating terrain.
Seven Questions has already proven his mettle at Ripon, an advantage that should serve him well in the afternoon's feature sprint, the Ripon Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap (4:10 pm). He previously won for trainer George Scott and has been heavily campaigned, but he recently dropped back to a very attractive weight and confirmed his soundness with a solid third place at Pontefract on his first start of the year a few weeks ago. I expect him to be sharper after that run; although a higher draw would have been preferable, I am confident he can deliver a strong performance from the low draw he will receive, the lowest he has carried since his victory in 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 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) appears to be an ideal target for our daughter of Blue Point, who I hope will stay on an unchanged weight of 71 pounds. Our recent mission to North Yorkshire was a success when two‑year‑old Niewiadoma claimed victory on debut at Thirsk, so I am hopeful that Blue Nguru can replicate that form. I will be riding two horses at Ripon for trainer Dave Loughnane, starting with Thunda Struck in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes (1:40 pm). While I do not know much about Thunda Struck, I did secure a win for her owners, the enthusiastic Let’s Be Lucky Partnership, at Chester last year.
A breakthrough win at Nottingham gives stablemate The Sweet Escape a realistic chance in the Sue’s 60th Birthday Occasion Handicap (4:45 pm). He appeared to relish the drop back to a mile, and a three‑pound increase places him on a workable weight of just 62 pounds. Having already secured victories with three 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 (2:48 pm) at Nottingham on Sunday.
She is a big‑bodied, scopey filly from Sioux Nation who has shown early promise and is ready to give her best on the track. I have worked with her extensively in training, and she possesses a keen mind. If she can translate her work‑out consistency into a race, I am confident she will impress the owners, Victorious Forever, who have provided countless magical moments, especially with the great Bradsell. Stay up‑to‑date with the latest horse racing news, interviews and features from Sky Sports Racing.
The traditional Classic trial meetings at Newbury last weekend lived up to expectations, with the Group Three Greenham Stakes standing out as particularly informative. While Karl Burke’s Alparslan dominated his rivals, I was most impressed by Eve Johnson‑Houghton’s Zavateri, a serious eye‑catcher who has grown substantially over the winter and displayed an excellent attitude, finishing second. I was also pleased to see Tom Marquand’s mount Needle Match hold on to finish fourth at generous odds.
William Haggas’s colt possesses the potential to improve further over a mile and is certainly one to watch. Touleen fell short of victory in the fillies’ trial, the Fred Darling Stakes, but she is returning for her first run since September and has shown resilience. I was delighted for Jack Channon, who won the race with Sukanya; she should be well‑placed for a future start in the Irish 1000 Guineas.
Hollie Doyle was interviewed by Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, discussing her plans and the excitement surrounding the upcoming races at Ripon and beyond.