I’m riding at Ripon on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Racing, and I’m also looking forward to teaming up with a promising two-year-old for Archie Watson at Nottingham on Sunday.
Romance Spirit looks to improve over extra trip
I was very pleased with Romance Spirit’s debut over a mile at Southwell earlier this month. She goes for the Napoleons Casino And Restaurant Leeds Restricted Maiden Stakes (2.15pm) at Ripon and I think the step up in trip will suit her. Marco Botti’s filly, by Teofilo out of a Dubawi mare, travelled like the winner for much of the Tapeta race but got a bit green late on. Stamina is on her side and an extra two furlongs should bring out the best in her. We’re drawn nicely and I hope she takes to Ripon’s undulations.
Seven Questions can fire at the Silver Sprint
Seven Questions heads into the Ripon Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap (4.10pm) in good form and has previously won on this course for his former trainer George Scott. He’s been campaigned at a higher level but has dropped back to an attractive mark and ran a solid third at Pontefract on his seasonal return, which should have sharpened him up. I’d have preferred a higher draw, but he’s on the lowest mark he’s had since his Leicester nursery win, so I’d expect a big run.
Blue Nguru should relish an extra furlong
Archie Watson’s Blue Nguru made a pleasing breakthrough over five furlongs on Lingfield’s AW in December, and stretching out to six furlongs in the Watch Sky Sports Racing In HD Handicap (5.20pm) looks ideal. She’s a Blue Point filly who remains on an unchanged mark of 71 and should handle the step up. We had a good weekend in North Yorkshire last week when a Watson two-year-old, Niewiadoma, won on debut at Thirsk, so hopefully Blue Nguru can keep the momentum going.
Two chances for Dave Loughnane
I have a couple of rides for Dave Loughnane at Ripon. Thunda Struck runs in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes (1.40pm). I don’t know a huge amount about her yet, but I did ride a winner at Chester last year for her owners, the Let’s Be Lucky Partnership, who are very enthusiastic. His other runner, The Sweet Escape, goes in the Sue’s 60th Birthday Occasion Handicap (4.45pm) after a breakthrough victory at Nottingham. He seemed to suit dropping back to a mile and the three-pound rise leaves him on a workable mark of 62.
Phalanx Nation ready for her first test
After a productive week with three two-year-old winners, I’m excited about Archie Watson’s Phalanx Nation in the EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes (2.48pm) at Nottingham on Sunday. She’s a big, scopey Sioux Nation filly 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 lovely attitude. If she can show what she has at home on the racecourse, she could make a strong impression for her owners, Victorious Forever, who gave me so many special moments with the great Bradsell.
Greenham and other Newbury trials caught the eye
The Newbury Classic trials last weekend produced plenty of talking points. The Group Three Greenham was eye-catching: Karl Burke’s Alparslan put his rivals to the sword, but I was particularly impressed by Eve Johnson Houghton’s Zavateri, who has grown over the winter and finished strongly in second. Needle Match, ridden into fourth by Tom Marquand at big odds, is one to watch and may be even better over a mile for William Haggas. Touleen didn’t land the Fred Darling but should improve for her first run since September and shouldn’t be written off. And I was delighted for Jack Channon with Sukanya, who looks a worthy contender for the Irish 1000 Guineas.
Comments recorded by Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft.