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 the competitive Armstrong Memorial Handicap, marking the start of Ripon's 2026 season. Sixtygeesbaby, now under the care of David O'Meara after transferring from Tom Clover's yard in March, is making only his second start for his new team.
He showed promise in a recent outing at Doncaster, where he wasn't far off the pace, and is expected to be in better form this time around. American Style, meanwhile, is seeking to regain his winning touch after struggling towards the end of last season. He has the talent but needs a favorable outcome to get back on track. He returns to the scene of his most recent victory, over the same distance he won at the start of last season.
Modern Times is another contender worth watching, having not been seen since his win over this course and distance in June of last year. He receives a significant weight advantage over the top two, making him hard to dismiss. For the latest updates, news, and interviews from the racing world, download the app.
The untested Storm Esme aims to defy a 4lbs rise in the Ripon Silver Bowl Handicap at Ripon. Storm Esme, owned by Valmont, looks to kick off her season on a high note after winning two out of three starts as a juvenile.
She debuted at Newcastle with a narrow win and then competed in the Two-Year-Old Trophy at Redcar, where she finished 11th. However, she rebounded with a win at Leicester shortly after, suggesting she may have more to offer.
Cotai Belle, who competed against Storm Esme in the same Listed race at Redcar, finishing two places ahead, will also be in the running. She faces a tougher task at the weights this time around and will need to recapture her early-season form to succeed. Wyle Cop has had two All-Weather starts this season, securing a win and a third-place finish in a competitive sprint handicap at Southwell.
With fitness on his side, he could perform well now that he's back on turf. Sherborne is stepping up in class as he attempts to secure a hat-trick in the Keltruck Ltd Handicap Chase at Hereford.
His first win came in mid-March with a 14-length victory at Exeter, followed by another impressive win at Ascot later that month. Given the convincing margins of these victories, it's possible that Joe Tizzard's gelding will take this rise in class in stride and claim another win. Insurrection is dropping down a class after finishing down the field in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham in March.
He's also reducing his trip significantly, but this return to less demanding competition should see him in a more favorable light. Black Hawk Eagle is up 3lbs after his win at Chepstow and is racing with a relatively light weight, making him a contender who cannot be overlooked. The day's action includes an 0-85 handicap at Ripon and eight races from ParisLongchamp, featuring lower-grade competition.