Our ambassador was on the scene at Ripon on 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 with 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 and Restaurant Leeds Restricted Maiden Stakes at 2:15 p.m.
on Saturday at Ripon. Romance Spirit, one of five runners in the Garden Racecourse event, is a daughter of Teofilo trained by Marco Botti.
She travelled like the leader for much of the Tapeta course, but inexperience ultimately cost her. Her pedigree includes a Dubawi mare, providing ample stamina, and she is certainly ready for the extra two furlongs the race offers. A favourable draw should also help her handle the track's notorious undulations.
Seven Questions has already proven his ability at Ripon, an advantage as we head into the afternoon's feature sprint, the Ripon Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap at 4:10 p.m. The horse previously won for trainer George Scott and has been heavily campaigned, recently finishing a solid third at Pontefract on his first start of the year.
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 Leicester nursery. Never miss a story with the latest racing news, interviews and features on your phone. Find out more. Looking ahead, I am excited 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 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. seems ideal 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 replicate that form. I will also be riding two horses for Dave Loughnane at Ripon, beginning with Thunda Struck in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes at 1:40 p.m. While I know little about Thunda Struck, 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 run in the Sue's 60th Birthday Occasion Handicap at 4:45 p.m. He appears to enjoy dropping back to a mile, and a three‑pound increase leaves him on a workable mark of 62. Having already secured victories 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 at Nottingham on Sunday at 2:48 p.m. She is a large‑scaled Sioux Nation who has shown early promise and is ready to take on the track.
I have worked with her extensively in the stable, and she possesses a keen mind. If she can translate her training 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 traditional Classic trials at Newbury last weekend did not disappoint, with the Group Three Greenham Stakes offering valuable insights. While Karl Burke's Alparslan dominated his rivals, I was particularly impressed by Eve Johnson Houghton's Zavateri, a serious eye‑catcher who has grown significantly over the winter and displayed a wonderful attitude, finishing second.
I was also pleased to see Tom Marquand's mount Needle Match hold on for fourth place despite long 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 delighted for Jack Channon, who won the race with Sukanya, and she will be a strong contender for the Irish 1000 Guineas.
In summary, the weekend's meetings across Ripon, Nottingham and Newbury have highlighted several promising youngsters and seasoned campaigners alike. From Romance Spirit's stamina‑rich pedigree to Blue Nguru's step up in distance, and from Seven Questions' proven form to the emerging talent of Phalanx Nation, there is plenty to anticipate as the season progresses. Hollie Doyle shared these thoughts during her interview with Sky Sports Racing's Simon Mapletoft, underscoring the excitement and strategic planning that go into each race day.