Our ambassador is 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 Romance Spirit's maiden victory 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. Among the five runners at the Garden Racecourse, the Teofilo‑sired filly, trained by Marco Botti, tracked the leader for much of the way on the Tapeta surface, but a touch of inexperience ultimately saw her finish behind.
She is out of a Dubawi mare, which gives her a solid stamina pedigree, and the added two furlongs in this race should suit her perfectly. Our draw is favorable, and we hope she can handle the course’s notorious undulations without difficulty. Seven Questions has already proven his worth at this venue, an advantage as he targets the afternoon’s feature sprint, the Ripon Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap at 4:10 pm.
A former George Scott‑trained winner at Ripon, he has been heavily campaigned, but a generous handicap mark and a confident third place at Pontefract on his first start of the year suggest he is improving. I would have liked a better draw, yet I expect a strong performance from a low post, the best he has enjoyed since his win in a Leicester nursery. Never miss a story—stay up to date with the latest racing news, interviews and features on your phone. Find out more.
I am also keen to see what Archie Watson’s filly Blue Nguru can achieve 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 progression for this daughter of Blue Point, who I hope will stay on an unchanged rating of 71. Our recent trip to North Yorkshire was a success, highlighted by two‑year‑old Niewiadoma’s debut victory at Thirsk.
It would be fitting for Blue Nguru to follow that pattern. I will be riding two horses for Dave Loughnane at Ripon, beginning with Thunda Struck in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes at 1:40 pm. While I know little about her, I did claim 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 at 4:45 pm. Dropping back to a mile and carrying an additional three pounds leaves him on a workable rating of 62.
Having secured victories with three two‑year‑olds over 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 pm. She is a sizable, scopey Sioux Nation mare who has matured early and is ready to take the track. I have worked with her extensively in training, and she possesses a keen intellect. 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 trials at Newbury last weekend delivered plenty of insight, especially the Group Three Greenham Stakes. While Karl Burke’s Alparslan dominated his rivals, I was particularly struck by Eve Johnson Houghton’s Zavateri, a genuine eye‑catcher. Eve noted that Zavateri has grown significantly over the winter and once again displayed an admirable 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’s colt shows potential over a mile and is a horse to watch. Touleen fell short in the Fred Darling fillies’ trial, but she is making her first start since September and remains determined. I was thrilled for Jack Channon, who captured the race on Sukanya; she should be well‑placed for the Irish 1000 Guineas. Hollie Doyle concluded her interview with Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, reflecting on the day’s events and looking ahead to the upcoming fixtures.
Overall, the weekend’s program at Ripon and Newbury offers a blend of promising juveniles, seasoned campaigners stepping up in distance, and classic‑trial form that will shape the rest of the season. With the right draws, suitable ground, and a touch of luck, many of these horses could make a significant impact in the weeks to come, and I look forward to seeing how each story unfolds on the track.