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 run in a one-mile Southwell maiden earlier this month so I’m expecting 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 greenness just got the better of her.
She’s out of a Dubawi mare so there’s no shortage of stamina on her page and she’s definitely ready for this extra two furlongs. We’re nicely drawn, too, so hopefully she can cope with the infamous undulations.
Cowell sprinter can answer all Questions
Seven Questions is already proven at the track which must be an advantage in the feature sprint of the afternoon, the Ripon Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap (4.10pm).
A course winner for previous trainer George Scott, he’s been highly tried but has fallen to an attractive mark and confirmed his wellbeing with a good third at Pontefract on his first start of the year a couple of weeks ago.
He should be sharper for that run and although I’d have preferred a higher draw, I’m expecting a big performance off the lowest mark he’s run off since winning a Leicester nursery.
Extra furlong perfect for Blue Nguru
I’m looking forward to seeing what Archie Watson’s filly Blue Nguru can achieve this year following her breakthrough win over the minimum trip on the All-Weather at Lingfield Park in December.
Stepping up to six-furlongs in the Watch Sky Sports Racing In HD Handicap (5.20pm) looks ideal for our daughter of Blue Point who I’d like to think is well treated off an unchanged mark of 71.
We enjoyed a successful mission to North Yorkshire last weekend when two-year-old Niewiadoma scored on debut at Thirsk so hopefully Blue Nguru can follow suit.
Chances for Loughnane duo
I ride two at Ripon for Dave Loughnane, starting with Thunda Struck in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes (1.40pm). I don’t know much 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 prospects in the Sue’s 60th Birthday Occasion Handicap (4.45pm). He seemed to enjoy dropping back to a mile and a three-pound rise leaves him on a workable mark of just 62.
Nation ready for first test
After winning with three two-year-olds already in the past week I can’t wait 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 to the track. I’ve ridden her in a lot of her work at home, and she has a great mind.
If she can translate her homework to a race, I’m sure she’ll make a good impression for her owners Victorious Forever, who gave me so many magical moments with the great Bradsell, of course.
Greenham an informative trial
The traditional Classic trials at Newbury last weekend didn’t disappoint with the Group Three Greenham Stakes looking particularly informative.
Whilst Karl Burke’s Alparslan galloped his rivals into submission I was most taken by Eve Johnson Houghton’s Zavateri, who was a serious eyecatcher. Eve says he’s grown a lot over the winter and once again he impressed with his attitude, running on to be second.
I was also delighted to see Tom’s (Marquand) mount Needle Match staying on to be fourth at big odds. William Haggas’ colt has the potential to be even better over a mile and is one to watch.
Touleen couldn’t quite win the fillies’ trial, the Fred Darling, but she’s entitled to come on for her first outing since September and isn’t one to give up on. I was delighted for Jack Channon who won it with Sukanya and she will be well worth her place in the Irish 1000 Guineas.
Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft.
