Our ambassador will be on the scene at Ripon this Saturday, featured 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 first outing over a mile at Southwell in a maiden race earlier this month, so I anticipate she will be difficult to beat in the Napoleons Casino and Restaurant Leeds Restricted Maiden Stakes (2:15 pm) at Ripon on Saturday.
She is one of five runners at the Garden Racecourse. Marco Botti’s daughter of Teofilo travelled like the eventual winner for much of the way on the Tapeta, but a touch of greenness ultimately saw her lose ground.
Being out of a Dubawi mare gives her a pedigree rich in stamina, and the extra two furlongs should suit her perfectly. Our draw is also favorable, which should help her handle the notorious undulations of the Ripon track. Seven Questions has already proven his ability at this venue, an advantage as he targets the afternoon’s feature sprint, the Ripon Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap (4:10 pm).
A former course winner under previous trainer George Scott, he has been well‑tried but recently dropped in class to an attractive weight and confirmed his fitness with a solid third at Pontefract on 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 draw he last used to win a Leicester nursery. Never miss a story – get the latest racing news, interviews and features straight to your phone.
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 (5:20 pm) appears ideal for our daughter of Blue Point, who I hope will stay on an unchanged mark of 71. We enjoyed a successful mission to North Yorkshire last weekend when two‑year‑old Niewiadoma claimed victory on debut at Thirsk, so I hope Blue Nguru can emulate that success.
I will ride two horses at Ripon for Dave Loughnane, starting with Thunda Struck in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes (1:40 pm). I know little 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 promising prospects in the Sue’s 60th Birthday Occasion Handicap (4:45 pm).
He seemed to relish dropping back to a mile, and a three‑pound weight increase leaves him on a workable mark 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 accomplish in the EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes (2:48 pm) at Nottingham on Sunday. She is a big‑boned Sioux Nation filly who has come to hand early and is primed for the track. I have ridden her in many of her workouts at home, and she possesses a brilliant mind.
If she can translate that school‑yard preparation into race‑day performance, I am confident she will make a lasting impression for her owners, Victorious Forever, who have given me countless magical moments with the great Bradsell. Stay up to date with 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 offering particular insight.
While Karl Burke’s Alparslan galloped his rivals into submission, I was most impressed by Eve Johnson‑Houghton’s Zavateri, a true eyecatcher. Eve noted that he has grown considerably over the winter and again displayed an excellent attitude, finishing a solid second. I was also pleased to see Tom Marquand’s mount Needle Match hold on for fourth place at generous odds.
William Haggas’s colt has the potential to improve further over a mile and is certainly one to watch. Touleen fell just short of winning the fillies’ trial, the Fred Darling, but she returns for her first start since September and shows no signs of giving up. I was delighted for Jack Channon, who rode Sukanya to victory; she will be a strong contender for the Irish 1000 Guineas. Hollie Doyle was interviewed by Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, discussing her plans and the promising prospects of the horses under her care.