Hollie Doyle looks forward to a busy Saturday of action in her latest, exclusive blog.
Watson juvenile has natural speed
My boss Archie Watson sends two promising youngsters from his Lambourn base to Thirsk on Saturday and I’ll be travelling north to ride them.
Before Merlier attempts a hat-trick, our two-year-old NIEWIADOMA — a lovely daughter of Cotai Glory — makes her eagerly awaited debut in the British EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes (1.37). I’ve ridden her several times in preparation and couldn’t be happier. A £40,000 yearling, she has plenty of natural speed and a great attitude.
It’s hard to know what to make of her five rivals, all debutantes, including Karl Burke’s Blue Point filly Bai Tong, who cost 125,000gns.
Turf debut for hat-trick seeking Merlier
MERLIER has been progressive on the All-Weather so I’m looking forward to riding him in the Stirrup Bar For Deli-Style Dinning Packages Handicap (5.07). He won a five-furlong maiden at Newcastle for Luke Morris before following up for me under a penalty at Wolverhampton to earn an opening rating of 85, which seems fair.
Stepping into a handicap for the first time is different, as he’s up against proven sprinters and hasn’t raced on turf, but good ground shouldn’t be an issue and I’m happy with stall five.
Forecast looks good for Warm Spell
Now eased to a career-low mark, I expect WARM SPELL to go close in division one of the Join Racing TV Today Handicap (3.58). He’s run some solid races for Mark Loughnane after being highly tried for Roger Varian. My husband Tom (Marquand) rode him in a Listed race won by Dancing Gemini as a two-year-old.
Placed efforts off higher marks over seven furlongs at Sandown and Kempton last autumn mean he should be competitive on his seasonal return over his regular trip, and his close second on last year’s reappearance shows he handles fresh runs.
Link up with Wilf evokes happy memories
Northern trainer Wilf Storey was one of my most loyal supporters when I was establishing myself as an apprentice a decade ago, so it’s lovely to ride for him at Thirsk. I’m on his course-and-distance winner IDYLLIC in the Happy 21st Birthday Lily Watkinson Handicap (4.32) — she won at the track off a similar rating last summer and should like similar conditions.
Mark Walford was in flying form at Ripon on Thursday when he completed his first Flat treble, which might bode well for his new recruit SOLAR BIRICZ in the Nick Simpson Cannot Be 60 Handicap (2.47). This gelding won a 5f handicap at Doncaster last summer for Brian Ellison and steps up to six furlongs for the first time, so Mark and his team will learn plenty.
Zavateri sets Greenham standard
I’m hoping Eve Johnson Houghton and Charlie Bishop can keep their Classic dreams alive with Betfred 2000 Guineas contender ZAVATERI in the Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes (2.00) at Newbury, live on Sky Sports Racing.
Their Without Parole colt sets the standard after rounding off a glittering juvenile campaign with a Group 1 National Stakes victory in Ireland. He looked less comfortable on Newmarket’s undulations in the Dewhurst, but Oxagon, who finished just behind him, franked the form by winning the Craven Stakes on Thursday.
Albert Einstein’s reappearance in a Listed race at the Curragh three weeks ago was disappointing, but it’s notable that Aidan O’Brien runs him again over seven furlongs despite hinting he might be aimed at big sprints this summer.
Touleen has something to prove
The Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Stakes (1.25) at Newbury, better known as the Fred Darling, looks an open renewal with several fillies on similar terms.
I’m convinced Shadwell’s TOULEEN is better than she showed in the Rockfel last autumn but she’ll need to be to win this traditional Classic trial — a race I won on 33-1 shot Duty First 12 months ago. Returning to this flatter track, where she won on debut, Owen Burrows’ filly should go well but may have the most to fear from Richard and Peter Fahey’s CATCHING THE MOON, who won at this level at Ayr in September and has Ryan Moore booked.
Lion can roar again in Sprint Cup
It would be some achievement for young trainer Jack Channon if URBAN LION could add the Win Unique Experiences At OLBG Prizes Spring Cup Handicap (3.10) at Newbury to his Lincoln victory. He beat Rogue Diplomat by a narrow margin on Town Moor and, while it should be close again, I think he’s open to improvement and can confirm the form for such a progressive yard, giving Eddie Greatrex another notable success.
I also expect Simon and Ed Crisford’s Shout to fare better than he did at Doncaster; with that run under his belt and champion Oisin Murphy in the saddle, he’s one to keep on side.
I’m hoping to see old AL AASY win the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes (John Porter) (2.35) for Tom (Marquand) and William Haggas. The gallant nine-year-old loves this track and can keep Karl Burke’s likely favourite Convergent honest.
Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft.