Our ambassador was on the scene at Ripian on Saturday, broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing, and she 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 p.m. on the Ripon course. Romance Spirit, one of five runners entered by Marco Botti, is a daughter of the prolific sire Teofilo.
She travelled like the front‑runner for much of the race on the Tapeta surface, but a touch of inexperience ultimately saw her lose out. The filly hails from a Dubawi mare, meaning her pedigree is rich in stamina, and she is certainly capable of handling the extra two furlongs the Ripian contest adds.
Our draw is favourable, which should help her cope with the track's notorious undulating terrain. Seven Questions has already proven his worth at this venue, giving us a distinct edge in the afternoon's headline sprint, the Ripon Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap at 4:10 p.m. The horse previously won for trainer George Scott and has been well‑tested in recent outings.
After a solid third place at Pontefract on his first start of the year, he appears sharper than ever. Although a higher draw would have been preferable, I expect a strong performance from the low‑draw position he last used to win a Leicester nursery. Never miss a story – the latest racing news, interviews and features are just a tap away on your phone. Find out more.
Turning to Archie Watson's filly Blue Nguru, I am keen to see how she develops 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 this daughter of Blue Point, who I hope will stay on an unchanged mark of 71.
Our successful mission to North Yorkshire last weekend, highlighted by two‑year‑old Niewiadoma's debut victory at Thirsk, gives us confidence that Blue Nguru can follow suit. I will also ride 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 her, I did secure a win at Chester last year for her enthusiastic owners, the Let's Be Lucky Partnership. A breakthrough win at Nottingham also gives her stablemate The Sweet Escape a realistic chance in the Sue's 60th Birthday Occasion Handicap at 4:45 p.m.; a modest three‑pound increase leaves him on a workable mark of 62. Having already celebrated victories with three two‑year‑olds in the past week, I am eager 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, scopey Sioux Nation filly who has shown early promise and is ready to make an impact on the track.
I have worked with her extensively in the stable, and she possesses a keen mind. If she can translate her training sessions 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 trial meetings at Newbury last weekend lived up to expectations, particularly the Group Three Greenham Stakes, which proved highly informative.
While Karl Burke's Alparslan dominated his rivals, I was most impressed by Eve Johnson Houghton's Zavateri, a serious eye‑catcher who has grown markedly over the winter and displayed an excellent attitude to finish second. I was also pleased to see Tom Marquand's mount Needle Match hold on for fourth place at generous odds. William Haggas' colt shows the potential to improve further over a mile and is definitely one to watch. Touleen fell short in the fillies' trial, the Fred Darling Stakes, but she is returning for her first run since September and remains determined.
I was delighted for Jack Channon, who won the race on Sukanya; she will be a strong contender for the Irish 1000 Guineas. Throughout these engagements, Hollie Doyle has been speaking to Sky Sports Racing's Simon Mapletoft, sharing insights and reflecting on the day's performances.
Her enthusiasm and deep knowledge of the horses she rides continue to make her a respected figure in the racing community.