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 Archie Watson on Sunday. I was thrilled by 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 & Restaurant Leeds Restricted Maiden Stakes (2:15 pm) at Ripon on Saturday. Romance Spirit is one of five runners in the Garden Racecourse event. Bred from the prolific sire Teofilo, she travelled like the race‑winner for much of the way on the Tapeta, but a touch of greenness ultimately cost her.
She comes from a Dubawi mare, which means stamina is plentiful in her pedigree, and she is certainly ready to handle the added two furlongs. Our draw is also favorable, giving her a good chance to cope with the track's notorious undulations. Seven Questions has already proven himself 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 soundness with a solid third place at Pontefract on his first start of the year a few weeks ago.
He should arrive sharper for the Ripon sprint, and although a higher draw would be preferable, I expect a strong performance from the low‑draw he will enjoy, the best he has had 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'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. Our recent trip to North Yorkshire was a success when two‑year‑old Niewiadoma won on debut at Thirsk, so I am hopeful Blue Nguru can follow that pattern. I will be riding two horses at Ripon for Dave Loughnane, beginning with Thunda Struck in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes (1:40 pm). I know little about her, but I did secure a win at Chester last year for her enthusiastic owners, the Let's Be Lucky Partnership.
A breakthrough victory 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 won with three 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 big‑bodied Sioux Nation filly who has come to hand early and is ready to hit the track. I have worked with her extensively in the gallops, and she possesses a great mind. If she can translate that training into race‑day performance, I am confident she will impress her owners, Victorious Forever, who have given me many magical moments with the great Bradsell. The traditional Classic trials 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. Eve noted that the colt had grown considerably over the winter and again impressed with his attitude, finishing second. I was also delighted to see Tom Marquand's mount Needle Match hold on for fourth place at generous odds. William Haggas' colt shows potential to improve 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 run since September and is not one to give up easily. I was thrilled 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 thoughts on the day’s action and her optimism for the upcoming races. The day at Ripon promises a blend of proven talent and emerging stars, and I look forward to seeing which horses rise to the occasion and deliver memorable performances.