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 with the debut performance of Romance Spirit in a one‑mile maiden at Southwell earlier this month, so I anticipate she will be a tough contender in the Napoleons Casino and Restaurant Leeds Restricted Maiden Stakes scheduled for 2:15 p.m.
at Ripon. Romance Spirit, a daughter of the celebrated sire Teofilo, broke away from the field and ran like a winner for much of the way on the Tapeta surface. However, a touch of inexperience – what we often call "greenness" – ultimately saw her lose out. She is out of a Dubawi mare, meaning her pedigree is rich in stamina, and the added two furlongs in this race should suit her perfectly.
Our post‑position draw is also favourable, which should help her handle the track's notorious undulations without difficulty. Turning to the afternoon's feature sprint, the Ripon Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap at 4:10 p.m., we have Seven Questions, a proven performer at this venue.
His prior success under former trainer George Scott gives him a distinct edge. Although he has been heavily tried in the past, he recently dropped back 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.
That recent run suggests he will be sharper than ever, and while a higher draw would have been preferable, I expect a strong showing from the lowest post he has contested since winning a nursery at Leicester. Fans can stay up‑to‑date with the latest racing news, interviews and features directly on their mobile devices – never miss a story.
Looking ahead to Sunday, I am excited to see what Archie Watson's filly Blue Nguru can achieve after her breakthrough win over the minimum distance on the all‑weather surface at Lingfield Park in December. Moving up to six furlongs in the Watch Sky Sports Racing In HD Handicap at 5:20 p.m. appears to be an ideal step for this daughter of Blue Point.
She is currently rated at 71, unchanged, and I believe she will be well‑handled at that mark. Our recent trip to North Yorkshire was a success when two‑year‑old Niewiadoma claimed victory on debut at Thirsk.
I hope Blue Nguru can replicate that form at Ripon. In addition, I will be riding two runners for trainer Dave Loughnane at Ripon. The first is Thunda Struck in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes at 1:40 p.m. While I do not know much about her background, 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 chance in the Sue's 60th Birthday Occasion Handicap at 4:45 p.m. He appeared to relish dropping back to a mile, and a three‑pound increase places him on a workable rating of 62. Having already celebrated victories with three two‑year‑olds in the past week, I am eager to see how Archie Watson's Phalanx Nation performs in the EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes at Nottingham on Sunday at 2:48 p.m.
She is a sizable, scopey filly from Sioux Nation bloodlines who has come to hand early and is primed for the track. I have worked with her extensively during her home training sessions and can attest to her intelligent disposition. If she can translate that work ethic into a race, I am confident she will impress her owners, Victorious Forever, who have given me many magical moments with the great Bradsell. The traditional Classic trial meetings at Newbury last weekend delivered plenty of insight, with the Group Three Greenham Stakes standing out.
While Karl Burke's Alparslan dominated his rivals, I was most impressed by Eve Johnson Houghton's Zavateri, a true eye‑catcher. Eve noted that Zavateri had grown significantly over the winter and again displayed a commendable attitude, finishing a solid second.
I was also pleased to see Tom Marquand's mount Needle Match hold on for fourth place despite long odds. William Haggas' colt possesses the potential to improve further over a mile and is certainly one to watch. Although Touleen fell short of victory in the Fred Darling fillies' trial, she is returning for her first run since September and shows the determination to fight on.
I was thrilled for Jack Channon, who captured the race with Sukanya; she will be a strong contender for the Irish 1000 Guineas. Finally, Hollie Doyle shared her thoughts with Sky Sports Racing's Simon Mapletoft, rounding off a weekend filled with promising form, emerging talent, and exciting prospects for the upcoming racing calendar.