Thursday promises to be an exciting day of racing, with events from Hereford and Ripon broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. The highly anticipated Armstrong Memorial Handicap at Ripon's season opener features top contenders Sixtygeesbaby and American Style. Sixtygeesbaby, now with the David O'Meara team, is set for his second start after a close finish at Doncaster last month.
American Style, despite struggling to secure a win lately, has the potential to excel if conditions favor him, particularly as he returns to the site of his previous victory. Modern Times, having been off the scene since winning at Ripon last June, is an intriguing competitor who receives a significant weight advantage over the top two.
Storm Esme, undefeated in two of her three juvenile starts, aims to kick-start her season on a high note in the Ripon Silver Bowl Handicap, despite facing a 4lbs rise. Cotai Belle, who outperformed Storm Esme in the Two-Year-Old Trophy, is also in the running but must regain her early-season form to succeed. Meanwhile, Sherborne seeks to achieve a hat-trick in the Keltruck Ltd Handicap Chase at Hereford, following dominant wins at Exeter and Ascot. Insurrection and Black Hawk Eagle are also strong contenders, with the latter racing with a significant weight advantage.