Hollie Doyle: Zavateri 'can keep Classic dreams alive' with Greenham Stakes win at Newbury
Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle heads to Thirsk on Saturday, but will be keeping a keen eye on events at Newbury - where the Greenham Stakes takes centre stage, live on Sky Sports Racing.
Friday 17 April 2026 17:46, UK
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 young horses all the way from his Lambourn base to Thirsk on Saturday and I'll be travelling up to the North Yorkshire track 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 for this first day at school and couldn't be happier with her. A £40,000 yearling, she has plenty of natural speed and a lovely attitude to go with it.
- Oxagon scoops Craven success for in-form Gosden team
- Azleet enters 1000 Guineas contention after 50-1 Newmarket win
It's hard to know what to make of her five rivals, who are all seeing a racecourse for the first time, including Karl Burke's daughter of Blue Point Bai Tong, who was relatively expensive at 125,000gns.
Turf debut for hat-trick seeking Merlier
MERLIER has been progressive on the All-Weather so I'm looking forward to getting back on board 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 over that trip at Wolverhampton to earn an opening rating of 85, which seems fair enough.
Stepping into a handicap for the first time is a different cup of tea as he's taking on proven sprinters and hasn't raced on turf before, but good ground shouldn't be an issue and I'm happy with my middle draw in stall five.
Forecast looks good for Warm Spell
Now he's been eased to a career-low mark, I'm expecting WARM SPELL to go close in division one of the Join Racing TV Today Handicap (3.58).
He's run some nice races in defeat for Mark Loughnane since being highly tried for previous trainer Roger Varian. My husband Tom (Marquand) rode him in a Listed race won by top class performer Dancing Gemini as a two-year-old.
Placed efforts off higher marks over seven furlongs at Sandown and Kempton Park last autumn entitle him to be in the mix for this seasonal debut over his regular trip and his close second on last year's return to action shows he can go well fresh.
Link up with Wilf evokes happy memories
Veteran northern trainer Wilf Storey was one of my most loyal supporters when I was trying to establish myself as an apprentice a decade ago so it will be lovely to ride for him up at Thirsk.
I'm on his course and distance winner IDYLLIC in the Happy 21st Birthday Lily Watkinson Handicap (4.32) - a mare who won at the track off a similar rating last summer and should enjoy similar conditions.
Meanwhile, Mark Walford was in flying form at Ripon on Thursday when he completed his first ever 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 I'm sure Mark and his team will learn plenty about him.
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 on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Racing.
Their Without Parole colt sets the standard after rounding off a glittering juvenile campaign with a win in the Group 1 National Stakes in Ireland. He didn't look as comfortable on the undulations at Newmarket in the Dewhurst on his final start but Oxagon, who finished just behind him, franked the form by winning the Craven Stakes on Thursday.
Albert Einstein's re-appearance in a Listed race at the Curragh three weeks ago was rather disappointing but it's interesting that Aidan O'Brien turns him out again over seven, despite suggesting he'll be aimed at the big sprints this summer.
Touleen has something to prove
The Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Stakes (1.25) at Newbury on Saturday, better known as the Fred Darling, looks an open renewal with several fillies holding similar prospects.
I'm convinced Shadwell's TOULEEN is better than she was able to show in the Rockfel last autumn but will 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 in the saddle.
Lion can roar again in Sprint Cup
It would be some achievement by young trainer Jack Channon if URBAN LION could supplement his win in the Lincoln by adding the Win Unique Experiences At OLBG Prizes Spring Cup Handicap (3.10) at Newbury.
He held Rogue Diplomat by the narrowest of margins on Town Moor and whilst it should be another close call I do think he's open to enough improvement to confirm the form for such a progressive yard and give 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 girth and champion Oisin Murphy in the saddle, he's another 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 on his toes.
Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing's Simon Mapletoft.
