Sixtygeesbaby Tackles Ripon's Featured Event

Thursday's racing schedule is packed, with events from Hereford and Ripon broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. The highly-regarded Sixtygeesbaby and American Style are set to clash in a competitive Armstrong Memorial Handicap, marking the beginning of Ripon's 2026 season. Having recently switched to the David O'Meara team, Sixtygeesbaby will make only his second start, following a respectable performance at Doncaster last month. He is expected to be in better shape for this outing. American Style, on the other hand, has struggled to find his winning form, but he has the potential to succeed if circumstances favor him. Returning to the site of his last victory, he will be competing over the same distance as before. Modern Times is another notable contender, having not been seen since his win over this course and distance in June last year, and he will receive a significant weight advantage over the top two. It's difficult to rule him out. Storm Esme, an unexposed filly, aims to overcome a 4lbs rise in the Ripon Silver Bowl Handicap. After winning two out of three starts as a juvenile, she began her season on a positive note. Cotai Belle, who finished two places ahead of Storm Esme in a Listed race at Redcar, will also be competing, although she will be at a 4lbs disadvantage and will need to regain her early-season form to win. Wyle Cop, having had two All-Weather starts this season, will be racing on turf and could perform well. Sherborne, meanwhile, will be taking a step up in class in the Keltruck Ltd Handicap Chase, seeking to complete a hat-trick at Hereford. Following convincing wins at Exeter and Ascot, Joe Tizzard's gelding may be able to handle the rise in class. Insurrection will be dropping down in class after a disappointing finish in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham, and this return to less demanding competition could work in his favor. Black Hawk Eagle, having won at Chepstow, will be racing with a 3lbs increase, but his low weight means he cannot be overlooked.