Thursday promises to be 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.
Sixtygeesbaby, having recently joined the David O'Meara team from Tom Clover's yard in March, will be making only his second start. He performed admirably in a recent contest at Doncaster, narrowly missing out, and is expected to be in better form this time around. American Style, despite struggling to secure a win towards the end of the previous season, possesses the necessary talent and could potentially return to winning form if circumstances favor him. He returns to the site of his last victory, competing over the same distance.
Modern Times, having not been seen since claiming victory over this course and distance in June of the previous year, is an intriguing contender who receives a significant weight advantage over the top two competitors and should not be ruled out. For the latest updates, news, and interviews from the racing world, download our app. The untested Storm Esme aims to overcome a 4-pound rise in the Ripon Silver Bowl Handicap.
Valmont-owned Storm Esme seeks to begin her season on a high note after securing two victories from three starts as a juvenile. Despite being beaten by eight lengths in the Two-Year-Old Trophy at Redcar, she bounced back with a win at Leicester, indicating potential for further improvement.
Cotai Belle, who finished two places ahead of Storm Esme in the same Listed race at Redcar, will be reopposing her rival. However, Cotai Belle will be at a 4-pound disadvantage and needs to recapture her early-season form to regain winning ways. Wyle Cop, having had two All-Weather starts this season, including a win and a third-place finish in a competitive sprint handicap at Southwell, has the advantage of being race-fit and could perform well upon returning to turf.
Sherborne is taking a step up in class in the Keltruck Ltd Handicap Chase as he attempts to secure a hat-trick at Hereford. His first win came in mid-March with a 14-length victory at Exeter, followed by another impressive success at Ascot.
Given the convincing margins of these wins, it's possible that Joe Tizzard's gelding will handle the rise in class and emerge victorious once more. Insurrection, having finished down the field in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham in March, is dropping down in class and significantly in distance, which could see him in a more favorable light and potentially perform well. Black Hawk Eagle, despite being up 3 pounds for his last win at Chepstow, is competing off a low weight and cannot be dismissed. The day's events also include an 0-85 handicap at Ripon and eight races from ParisLongchamp, featuring low-grade action.