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 Romance Spirit's maiden win 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 is one of five runners entered by Marco Botti at the Garden Racecourse. The filly, a daughter of Teofilo, travelled like the leader for much of the way on the Tapeta surface, but inexperience ultimately cost her. She is out of a Dubawi mare, giving her a pedigree rich in stamina, and she should relish the extra two furlongs on offer. Our draw is favorable, which should help her cope with Ripon's notorious undulating terrain.
Seven Questions has already proven his worth at this track, an advantage as we head into the afternoon's feature sprint, the Ripon Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap at 4:10 p.m. The colt, a former George Scott trainee, has been heavily campaigned but recently dropped back to an attractive weight and confirmed his fitness with a solid third place at Pontefract in his first start of the year a few weeks ago.
He should be sharper now, and although a higher draw would have been preferable, I expect a strong performance from the low post, the best starting position he has enjoyed since winning a Leicester nursery. Never miss a story with the latest racing news, interviews and features on 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 rating of 71. We enjoyed a successful mission to North Yorkshire last weekend when two‑year‑old Niewiadoma won on debut at Thirsk, so I am hopeful Blue Nguru can follow suit.
I will be riding two horses at Ripon for Dave Loughnane, beginning with Thunda Struck in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes at 1:40 p.m. I know little about Thunda Struck, 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 chance in the Sue’s 60th Birthday Occasion Handicap at 4:45 p.m.
He seemed to enjoy dropping back to a mile, and a three‑pound increase leaves him on a workable rating of just 62. 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 do in the EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes at Nottingham on Sunday at 2:48 p.m. She is a big‑hearted Sioux Nation filly who has come to hand early and is eager to hit the track.
I have worked with her extensively in training, and she possesses a brilliant mind. If she can translate that intelligence into a race, I am confident she will impress her owners, Victorious Forever, who have given me many magical moments with the great Bradsell.
See the latest horse racing news, interviews and features from Sky Sports Racing. The traditional Classic trials at Newbury last weekend did not disappoint, with the Group Three Greenham Stakes providing especially useful insights. While Karl Burke’s Alparslan dominated his rivals, I was most impressed by Eve Johnson‑Houghton's Zavateri, a genuine eye‑catcher. Eve reported that the colt has grown considerably over the winter and once again displayed a commendable attitude, finishing second.
I was also pleased to see Tom Marquand’s mount Needle Match hold on to finish fourth at long odds. William Haggas’ colt shows great potential over a mile and is certainly one to watch. Touleen fell short in the fillies’ trial, the Fred Darling, but she is making her first run since September and is not one to give up easily. I was thrilled for Jack Channon, who won the race on Sukanya; she will be well‑placed for a run in the Irish 1000 Guineas.
Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, reflecting on the day’s performances and looking ahead to the upcoming fixtures.