Our ambassador was on the scene at Ripon this past Saturday, broadcasting live on Sky Sports Racing, and she is eagerly anticipating a partnership with a highly regarded two‑year‑old for Archie Watson on Sunday. Romance Spirit impressed me with a solid debut over a mile at Southwell in a maiden race earlier this month, so I expect her to be a formidable contender in the Napoleons Casino And Restaurant Leeds Restricted Maiden Stakes at 2:15 p.m. on Saturday at Ripon.
She is one of five runners in the Garden Racecourse meeting and, despite traveling like the leader for much of the way on the Tapeta, a touch of greenness saw her fall short. The filly is out of a Dubawi mare, which means stamina is plentiful in her pedigree, and the extra two furlongs should suit her perfectly. Her draw is also advantageous, giving her a better chance of handling the course’s notorious undulations.
Seven Questions has already shown his quality at Ripon, an advantage that should serve him well in the afternoon’s headline sprint, the Ripon Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap at 4:10 p.m. He previously won for trainer George Scott, has been well‑tried, and recently dropped back to a very attractive weight, confirming his fitness with a strong 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 anticipate a strong performance from the low draw he last used when winning a nursery at Leicester.
Fans can stay up‑to‑date with the latest racing news, interviews and features on their mobile devices – never miss a story. Turning to Archie Watson’s filly Blue Nguru, I am keen to see what she can achieve after her breakthrough win over the minimum trip on the all‑weather surface at Lingfield Park in December. Stepping up to six furlongs in the Watch Sky Sports Racing In HD Handicap at 5:20 p.m.
looks like an ideal test for this 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 follow that pattern. I will also be riding two horses for Dave Loughnane at Ripon, starting with Thunda Struck in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes at 1:40 p.m. I know little about her, but I did ride a winner for her enthusiastic owners, the Let’s Be Lucky Partnership, at Chester last year.
A breakthrough win at Nottingham gives stable‑mate The Sweet Escape a promising chance in the Sue’s 60th Birthday Occasion Handicap at 4:45 p.m. 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 at 2:48 p.m.
on Sunday at Nottingham. She is a big‑boned, scopey filly from Sioux Nation who has shown early promise and is ready to take on the track. I have worked with her extensively in training, and she possesses a brilliant mind. If she can translate that work ethic 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 classic trial meetings at Newbury last weekend did not disappoint, with the Group Three Greenham Stakes offering particular insight. While Karl Burke’s Alparslan dominated his rivals, I was most taken by Eve Johnson‑Houghton’s Zavateri, a serious eyecatcher who has grown substantially over the winter and displayed a commendable attitude, finishing second. I was also pleased to see Tom Marquand’s mount Needle Match stay on to finish fourth at generous odds. William Haggas’s colt shows potential to improve over a mile and is certainly one to watch.
Touleen fell just short in the Fred Darling fillies’ trial, but she is making her first start since September and remains determined. I was delighted for Jack Channon, who won the trial with Sukanya; she will be a strong contender for the Irish 1000 Guineas. In summary, the weekend’s action at Ripon and Newbury highlighted a mix of proven talent and emerging prospects. Hollie Doyle’s insight and enthusiasm, shared during her interview with Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, underscore the excitement surrounding these horses and their upcoming challenges.