Our ambassador is on the scene at Ripon this Saturday, broadcasting live on Sky Sports Racing, and is eager to join forces 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 difficult to beat in the Napoleons Casino and Restaurant Leeds Restricted Maiden Stakes at 2:15 p.m. on Saturday at Ripon. The filly, one of five runners at the Garden Racecourse, is a daughter of Teofilo trained by Marco Botti.
She travelled like a winner for much of the way on the Tapeta surface, but a touch of greenness ultimately cost her. Her pedigree includes a Dubawi mare, providing ample stamina, and she is certainly ready to stretch out an extra two furlongs. Our draw is favourable, which should help her cope with the track’s notorious undulations. Seven Questions has already proven his mettle at Ripon, an advantage as he targets the afternoon’s feature sprint, the Ripon Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap at 4:10 p.m.
The horse is a former course winner for previous trainer George Scott, has been heavily tested, and recently dropped in class to a very attractive weight. He confirmed his fitness with a solid third place at Pontefract in his first start of the year a couple of weeks ago.
I expect him to be sharper now, and although a higher draw would be preferable, I believe he can deliver a strong performance from the low draw, the best he has had since his Leicester nursery win. Never miss a story – get the latest racing news, interviews and features straight to 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 at 5:20 p.m. seems ideal for our daughter of Blue Point, who I hope will stay on an unchanged weight of 71 pounds.
Our recent mission to North Yorkshire was a success when two‑year‑old Niewiadoma won on debut at Thirsk, so I am hopeful 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 p.m. I don’t know much about her, but I did ride a winner 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 relish dropping back to a mile, and a three‑pound weight increase leaves him on a workable mark of just 62 pounds. Having already secured victories with three two‑year‑olds in the past week, I can’t wait to see what Archie Watson’s Phalanx Nation can achieve in the EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes at Nottingham on Sunday at 2:48 p.m. She is a big‑bodied Sioux Nation who has come to hand early and is ready to go.
I have worked with her extensively in training, and she possesses a keen mind. If she can translate that work ethic onto the racecourse, I am confident she will impress her owners, Victorious Forever, who have given me many magical moments with the great Bradsell. Stay updated with the latest horse racing news, interviews and features from Sky Sports Racing. The traditional Classic trials at Newbury last weekend lived up to expectations, 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 serious eyecatcher. Eve noted that Zavateri has grown considerably over the winter and once again displayed a wonderful attitude, finishing second. I was also pleased to see Tom Marquand’s mount Needle Match hold on for fourth place at long odds. William Haggas’ colt has the potential to improve further over a mile and is certainly one to watch.
Touleen fell short of victory in 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 delighted for Jack Channon, who won the race with Sukanya, and she will be well‑placed for the Irish 1000 Guineas.
Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, sharing her insights on the day’s action and her plans for the upcoming races.