Our ambassador is in action at Ripon on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Racing, and looks forward to partnering a well-regarded two-year-old for Archie Watson on Sunday.
Step up in trip looks ideal for Romance
I was delighted with Romance Spirit’s debut in a one-mile Southwell maiden earlier this month, so I expect her to be hard to beat in the Napoleons Casino And Restaurant Leeds Restricted Maiden Stakes (2.15pm) at Ripon on Saturday. One of five rides at the Garden Racecourse, Marco Botti’s daughter of Teofilo travelled like the winner for much of the way on the Tapeta but her greenness showed late. She’s out of a Dubawi mare, so stamina is on her page and she should relish the extra two furlongs. We’re nicely drawn, too, so hopefully she can cope with Ripon’s undulations.
Cowell sprinter can answer all Questions
Seven Questions has already proven himself at Ripon, which is a plus for the feature sprint, the Ripon Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap (4.10pm). A course winner for former trainer George Scott, he’s been tried at a high level but has dropped to an attractive mark and confirmed his wellbeing with a solid third at Pontefract on his seasonal return. He should be sharper for that run; although I would have preferred a higher draw, I expect a big effort off the lowest mark he’s had since his Leicester nursery success.
Extra furlong perfect for Blue Nguru
I’m keen to see what Archie Watson’s Blue Nguru can do this year after her breakthrough success over five furlongs on Lingfield’s AW in December. Stretching out to six furlongs in the Watch Sky Sports Racing In HD Handicap (5.20pm) looks ideal for the daughter of Blue Point, who is well treated on an unchanged mark of 71. We had a good weekend in North Yorkshire last week when two-year-old Niewiadoma won on debut at Thirsk, so hopefully Blue Nguru can follow suit.
Chances for Loughnane duo
I ride two for Dave Loughnane at Ripon, starting with Thunda Struck in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes (1.40pm). I don’t know a lot about her yet, but I did ride a winner at Chester last year for her enthusiastic owners, the Let’s Be Lucky Partnership. Her stablemate The Sweet Escape has prospects in the Sue’s 60th Birthday Occasion Handicap (4.45pm) after a breakthrough win at Nottingham. He seemed to enjoy dropping back to a mile and a three-pound rise leaves him on a workable mark of 62.
Nation ready for first test
After winning with three two-year-olds in the past week, I’m excited to see what Archie Watson’s Phalanx Nation can do in the EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes (2.48pm) at Nottingham on Sunday. She’s a big, scopey Sioux Nation who has come to hand early and is ready to go. I’ve done a lot of her work at home and she has a great mind. If she can transfer her schooling to the track, she’ll make a good impression for her owners Victorious Forever, who gave me so many magical moments with the great Bradsell.
Greenham an informative trial
The traditional Classic trials at Newbury last weekend produced plenty to think about, with the Group Three Greenham Stakes particularly telling. Karl Burke’s Alparslan impressed by putting his rivals to the sword, but I was most taken by Eve Johnson Houghton’s Zavateri, who grew a lot over the winter and ran on strongly to be second. I was also pleased to see Tom Marquand’s ride Needle Match stay on into fourth at big odds; William Haggas’ colt looks one to watch and may be even better over a mile. Touleen couldn’t quite land the fillies’ trial, the Fred Darling, but she should improve for her first run since September and isn’t one to write off. I was delighted for Jack Channon with his winner Sukanya, who will be well worth her place in the Irish 1000 Guineas.
Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft.