Our ambassador is set to make an appearance at Ripon this Saturday, broadcasting 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 maiden debut over a mile at Southwell earlier this month, so I anticipate she will be a tough contender in the Napoleons Casino and Restaurant Leeds Restricted Maiden Stakes at 2:15 pm on Saturday at Ripon.
Out of five runners at the Garden Racecourse, the Marco Botti‑trained daughter of Teofilo travelled like the early leader for much of the way on the Tapeta surface, but a touch of inexperience ultimately cost her. She comes from a Dubawi mare, which means stamina is plentiful in her pedigree, and the added two furlongs should suit her perfectly.
Our draw is also favourable, giving her a better chance of handling the course’s notorious undulations. Seven Questions has already proven himself at this track, an advantage that should serve him well in the afternoon’s headline sprint, the Ripon Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap at 4:10 pm. A former winner for trainer George Scott, Seven Questions has been heavily campaigned, but he 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 be sharper after that run, and although a higher draw would have been preferable, I expect a strong performance from the low draw he last used when winning a nursery at Leicester. 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 at 5:20 pm appears to be an ideal target for our daughter of Blue Point, who I hope will stay on an unchanged rating of 71. We enjoyed a successful trip to North Yorkshire last weekend when two‑year‑old Niewiadoma won on debut at Thirsk, so there is hope that Blue Nguru can follow suit.
I will ride two horses at Ripon for trainer Dave Loughnane, beginning with Thunda Struck in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes at 1:40 pm. I do not know much 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 at 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 celebrated wins with three two‑year‑olds in the past week, I am eager to see what Archie Watson can accomplish with Phalanx Nation in the EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes at 2:48 pm on Sunday at Nottingham. Phalanx Nation is a big‑boned, scopey filly from the Sioux Nation line who has come to hand early and is ready to hit the track.
I have ridden her extensively in her home gallops, and she possesses a brilliant mind. If she can translate that work ethic into a race, I am confident she will make a strong impression for her owners, Victorious Forever, who have given me many magical moments with the great Bradsell.
See 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 considerably over the winter and once again displayed a commendable attitude, finishing second.
I was also delighted to see Tom Marquand’s mount Needle Match stay on to finish fourth at generous odds. William Haggas’s colt has the potential to improve further over a mile and is definitely one to watch.
Touleen fell short of victory in the fillies’ trial, the Fred Darling Stakes, but she is making her first run since September and is not one to give up easily. I was pleased for Jack Channon, who won the race on Sukanya, and she will be well‑placed for the Irish 1000 Guineas. Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft.