Thursday promises a full slate of racing, with meetings at Hereford and Ripon being broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. The highlight at Ripon, marking the opening of its 2026 season, is the Competitive Armstrong Memorial Handicap, where the top‑rated Sixtygeesbaby will meet the seasoned American Style in a compelling showdown. Sixtygeesbaby is only making his second start for trainer David O'Meara, having transferred from Tom Clover’s stable in March. He showed promise in his seasonal return at Doncaster last month, where he was narrowly beaten in a respectable contest.
The extra time in O'Meara’s care should see him arrive fitter and sharper for the Ripon test, and his connections are confident that the horse will be able to improve on his recent performance. American Style, on the other hand, has struggled to find his rhythm since the end of last season, often drifting towards the rear of the field.
Despite this dip in form, the horse still possesses genuine ability and merely needs the race conditions to click for him to rediscover his winning ways. He will be returning to the same course and distance that delivered his first‑time victory last year, a factor that could prove advantageous as he seeks to repeat that success. Also worth watching is Modern Times, a horse that has not been seen in action since winning over the same course and distance in June of the previous year. Modern Times will be carrying a significant weight penalty from the top two finishers, yet the class displayed in his earlier triumph makes him a genuine threat that should not be dismissed lightly.
In addition to the headline contest, the card features a number of intriguing stories. Storm Esme, a filly owned by Valmont, will attempt to overcome a four‑pound penalty in the Ripon Silver Bowl Handicap. She began her career impressively, winning two of her three juvenile starts – debuting at Newcastle with a narrow head victory, then stepping up to the Two‑Year‑Old Trophy at Redcar where she was outpaced by eight lengths, finishing eleventh. Undeterred, she bounced back with a win at Leicester less than two weeks later, indicating that she still has plenty of potential to develop.
Cotai Belle, another high‑rated runner, will be looking to emulate Storm Esme’s earlier success. The mare finished two places ahead of Storm Esme in the same listed race at Redcar, despite starting at 50‑1 odds. However, she will be carrying four pounds more in the Ripon contest and will need to tap back into the form that saw her win as a juvenile if she hopes to be competitive.
On the all‑weather circuit, Wyle Cop has already shown his versatility this season, securing a win and a third‑place finish in a warm sprint handicap at Southwell. His recent performances suggest that he possesses the fitness and speed to transition back to turf successfully, making him a horse to watch in the upcoming sprint contests.
Further down the card, Sherborne will attempt to step up in class in the Keltruck Ltd Handicap Chase, aiming to complete a hat‑trick of victories that began with a dominant 14‑length win at Exeter in mid‑March, followed by an emphatic triumph at Ascot later that month. Trainer Joe Tizzard’s gelding has demonstrated the ability to handle increased competition, and the connections are confident that the horse can continue its upward trajectory.
Insurrection, after a disappointing run down the field in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham in March, will be dropped back in both class and distance. The change in conditions should suit him better, offering a chance to regain confidence and potentially produce a strong performance. Black Hawk Eagle, who carried a three‑pound penalty after a win at Chepstow, arrives at Ripon with a light weight assignment.
Although the weight advantage is modest, it could be enough to keep him in contention, especially if the pace of the race suits his running style. Overall, the Ripon meeting offers a blend of seasoned campaigners, rising stars, and horses returning from lay‑offs, all competing over a variety of distances and conditions. Fans can stay up to date with the latest racing news, interviews, and feature stories through the Sky Sports Racing app, ensuring they never miss a moment of the action. The day’s schedule includes a competitive 0‑85 handicap at 4:16 pm, alongside eight additional races featuring talent from the ParisLongchamp circuit and other lower‑grade contests, promising a full and entertaining programme for racing enthusiasts.