Our ambassador took to the track at Ripon on 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 outing over a mile at Southwell earlier this month, so I expect her to be a tough contender in the Napoleons Casino & Restaurant Leeds Restricted Maiden Stakes (2:15 pm) at Ripon on Saturday. Among the five runners at the Garden Racecourse, the daughter of Teofilo, trained by Marco Botti, travelled like the eventual winner for much of the way on the Tapeta surface, but a touch of inexperience ultimately cost her. She comes from a Dubawi mare, meaning stamina is plentiful in her pedigree, and the extra two furlongs should suit her perfectly.
Our draw is also favorable, giving her a good chance of handling the course’s notorious undulations. Seven Questions has already proven his worth at Ripon, an advantage as he lines up for the afternoon’s feature sprint, the Ripon Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap (4:10 pm).
A former winner for trainer George Scott, he has been heavily campaigned but recently dropped back 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 after that run, and although a higher draw would have been preferable, I anticipate a strong performance from the low draw he last used when winning a Leicester nursery. Never miss a story – get the latest racing news, interviews and features straight to your phone. Find out more.
I am also keen to see 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 rating of 71. We enjoyed a successful mission to North Yorkshire last weekend when two‑year‑old Niewiadoma claimed victory on debut at Thirsk, so I am hopeful Blue Nguru can follow suit. At Ripon I will ride two runners 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 win at Nottingham gives her stablemate The Sweet Escape a promising target in the Sue’s 60th Birthday Occasion Handicap (4:45 pm). He seemed to relish dropping back to a mile, and a three‑pound increase leaves him on a workable rating 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 big, scopey filly from Sioux Nation, who has shown early promise and is ready to take on the track.
I have worked with her extensively at home, and she possesses a brilliant mind. If she can translate her training into a race, I am confident she will impress her owners, Victorious Forever, who have given me many magical moments with the great Bradsell. Stay up‑to‑date with the latest horse racing news, interviews and features from Sky Sports Racing. 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 impressed by Eve Johnson‑Houghton's Zavateri, a genuine eye‑catcher. Eve noted that he has grown substantially over the winter and once again displayed a commendable attitude, finishing second. I was also delighted to see Tom Marquand’s mount Needle Match hold on for fourth place at long odds.
William Haggas’s colt has the potential to improve over a mile and is definitely one to watch. Touleen fell short of winning the fillies’ trial, the Fred Darling, but she is making her first start since September and is not one to give up easily. I was thrilled for Jack Channon, who rode Sukanya to victory, and she will be well‑placed for the Irish 1000 Guineas. Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft.