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 happy Romance Spirit’s debut run in a 1.5km Southwell maiden earlier this month so I expect her to be hard to beat Napoleons Casino and Restaurant Leeds limited Virgin betting (2.15pm) at Ripon on Saturday.
One of five rides at the Garden Racecourse, Marco Botti’s daughter of Teofilo traveled the winner most of the way on the Tapeta, but the green just got the better of her.
She is out of a Dubai mare so there is no lack of stamina on her side and she is certainly ready for those extra two furlongs. We are also nicely drawn so hopefully she can handle the infamous waves.
The Cowell sprinter can answer any question
Seven questions is already proven on the track, which must be an advantage in this afternoon’s feature sprint, the Ripon Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap (16.10).
A course winner for former trainer George Scott, he has been much tried but has settled into an attractive grade and confirmed his finesse with a good third at Pontefract on his first start of the year a few weeks ago.
He should be sharper for that race and although I would have preferred a higher draw I expect a big performance from the lowest grade he has run since winning a Leicester nursery.
Extra long, perfect for Blue Nguru
I’m looking forward to seeing what Archie Watson’s filly does Blue Nguru can achieve this year after her breakthrough win over the minimum trip at the All-Weather at Lingfield Park in December.
Goes up to six floors in Watch Sky Sports Racing in HD handicap (17.20) looks ideal for our daughter of Blue Point who I would like to think is well treated with an unchanged grade 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 the Loughnane duo
I ride two at Ripon for Dave Loughnane, starting with Thunda Struck i British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes (1.40 p.m.). I don’t know much about her but I rode a winner at Chester last year for her enthusiastic owners, Let’s Be Lucky Partnership.
A breakthrough win in Nottingham gives her stablemate The sweet escape prospects i Sue’s 60th Birthday Handicap (16.45). He seemed to enjoy dropping back to a mile and a rise of three pounds leaves him on a serviceable grade of just 62.
Nation ready for first test
Having won with three two-year-olds already in the past week, I can’t wait to see what Archie Watson has Phalanx Nation can do in EBF Fillies’ debut effort (14.48) in Nottingham on Sunday.
She is a big Sioux Nation that has come to hand early and is ready to go on the field. I have ridden her in a lot of her work at home and she has a great mind.
If she can translate her lessons into a race, I’m sure she’ll make a good impression on her owners Victorious Forever, who of course gave me so many magical moments with the great Bradsell.
Greenham an informative trial
The traditional classic trials at Newbury last weekend did not disappoint as the Group Three Greenham Stakes looked particularly informative.
While Karl Burke’s Alparslan galloped his rivals into submission. I was most taken by Eve Johnson Houghtons Zavaterithere was serious eye catching. Eve says he has grown a lot over the winter and once again impressed with his attitude as he went on to finish second.
I was also happy to see Tom’s (Marquand) mount Pin prick remains in fourth place with great odds. William Haggas’ colt has the potential to be even better over a mile and is one to watch.
The Touleen couldn’t quite win the colt test, Fred Darling, but she has the right to come on her first outing since September and is not one to give up. I was happy for Jack Channon who won it with Sukanya and she will be worth her place in the Irish 1000 Guineas.
Hollie Doyle spoke to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft.