Sixtygeesbaby Tackles Ripon's Featured Event

Thursday promises an action-packed day of racing, with events from Hereford and Ripon broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. The highly-regarded Sixtygeesbaby and American Style are set to clash in the competitive Armstrong Memorial Handicap, marking the opening day of Ripon's 2026 season. Having recently joined the David O'Meara team, Sixtygeesbaby makes only his second start, following a respectable performance at Doncaster last month. He is expected to be fitter for this outing. American Style, meanwhile, has struggled to find winning form towards the end of last season but has the potential to excel if circumstances favor him. He returns to the site of his most recent victory, over the same distance he won at the start of last season. Modern Times is another intriguing contender, having not been seen since winning over this course and distance in June of last year, and receives a significant weight advantage over the top two. It's difficult to rule him out. Storm Esme, an unexposed filly, seeks to overcome a 4lbs rise in the Ripon Silver Bowl Handicap. After winning two of her three starts as a juvenile, including a debut victory at Newcastle and a subsequent win at Leicester, Storm Esme aims to begin her season on a strong note. Cotai Belle, who finished two places ahead of Storm Esme in the Listed race at Redcar, reopposes her rival but is 4lbs worse off at the weights and needs to recapture her early form to win. Wyle Cop, with two All-Weather starts this season, including a win and a third-place finish in a warm sprint handicap at Southwell, has fitness on his side and could perform well back on turf. Sherborne, meanwhile, takes a step up in class in the Keltruck Ltd Handicap Chase, seeking to complete a hat-trick of wins at Hereford. Following convincing victories at Exeter and Ascot, Joe Tizzard's gelding may take this rise in class in stride. Insurrection drops down in class after a disappointing finish in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham and also takes a significant drop in trip, which could see him in a more favorable light. Black Hawk Eagle, up 3lbs for a win at Chepstow, cannot be dismissed given his light weight. The day's events include an 0-85 handicap at Ripon and eight races from ParisLongchamp, featuring low-grade action.