Sixtygeesbaby Tackles Ripon Feature Event

Thursday's racing schedule is packed, with action unfolding at Hereford and Ripon, broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. The highly-regarded Sixtygeesbaby and American Style are set to clash in a fiercely competitive Armstrong Memorial Handicap, marking the opening day of Ripon's 2026 season. Having recently switched to the David O'Meara team from Tom Clover's yard in March, Sixtygeesbaby is poised for his second start. His previous outing at Doncaster last month saw him narrowly miss out, and he's expected to be in better form this time around. American Style, on the other hand, has struggled to regain his winning touch after a disappointing end to the previous season. However, he possesses the ability and returns to the site of his last victory, covering the same distance as before. Modern Times is another intriguing contender, having been absent since his win over this course and distance in June last year, and he receives a significant weight advantage over the top two contenders. It's difficult to rule him out of contention. The untested Storm Esme aims to overcome a 4lbs rise in the Ripon Silver Bowl Handicap at Ripon. Following a successful juvenile season, where she won two out of three starts, Storm Esme looks to begin her current campaign on a positive note. Her owners, Valmont, will be hoping she can build upon her previous victories. Top-rated Cotai Belle will be reopposing Storm Esme, having finished two places ahead of her in the Listed race at Redcar. However, Cotai Belle will need to rediscover her early-season form if she's to secure a win on her reappearance. Wyle Cop has had two starts on the All-Weather this season, securing a win and a third-place finish in a warm sprint handicap at Southwell. Now back on turf, he could put in a strong performance. Sherborne is set to take a step up in class in the Keltruck Ltd Handicap Chase as he bids to complete a hat-trick at Hereford. His previous two victories came in mid-March, with a 14-length win at Exeter, followed by an emphatic success at Ascot. Given the convincing margins of these wins, it's possible that Joe Tizzard's gelding will navigate this rise in class with ease. Insurrection takes a drop in class after finishing down the field in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham in March. This return to less demanding competition should see him in a more favorable light, and he could go well. Black Hawk Eagle is up 3lbs for his win at Chepstow last time out and is in here off a low weight, making him a contender that cannot be dismissed.