Events / Darrell Williams / 15 July 2009 / Leave a comment

Sunderland's UK Festival of Racing finals card - live on Sky Sports on Thursday evening - is unsurprisingly, given the excellent prize money on offer, a card to rival even Derby final night, writes Darrell Williams.

Despite the shock eliminations of both Hurleys Hero and Ardkill Tunoco in the Grand Prix and Classic respectively, putting this column and doubtless many others on the back foot, the two feature races, and in particular the Grand Prix (9.25) look high class affairs.

But there's little doubt that Lenson Joker will be making most of the headlines if Tony Collett's charge can successfully defend his Grand Prix crown, which he won as part of a magnificent 12-timer last summer. And with Hurleys Hero out of the way, there's every reason to believe he might just be able to do it, having beaten main rival Crown Rover in the semi-finals on Saturday night.

Both dogs admittedly will be looking for the early lead, as will Wordsandatune, sandwiched between the pair in trap two, but given that 'Joker' has only had five races this year, and his two runs in this event are his first over six bends since last year's Leger semi-finals, there must be every chance he can improve again. If the inside 'speed' runners do take each other on, Bubbly Totti could be ready to take advantage, now back in his preferred stripes draw. Like Lenson Joker, he too returned to six bends for this competition, having not run over a trip since last December and he rates saver material.

Droopys Bogart has found the transition into all-aged company a smooth one, with wide margin wins in both rounds of the Classic (9.45), having previously enjoyed an unbeaten sweep through the Gymcrack, and he looks the most likely winner of the £40k prize. Just like in the Gymcrack he is again denied the trap six draw in the final, but as he proved at Hall Green that is unlikely to be a problem. Blood Of Kings, who has proved an excellent second string for Julie Bateson in the absence of Ardkill Tunoco, rates the danger, but he was well behind the selection in the first round and I'm not sure trap one is his ideal box.

The supporting card oozes with class, with Hurleys Hero (8.30) and Ardkill Tunoco (9.05) expected to gain some compensation for their big race exits, although both are likely to be warm orders.

Elsewhere, Glenroe Ginger (8.15) can win a red hot four bend contest at the expense of Centaur Allstar and local Ricky And Nicky, who might be worth a covering wager if priced accordingly. However, Barrie Draper's Golden Sprint winner will take all the beating if repeating his defeat of the useful Mill Pinpoint over CD from late last month.

While 2008 Classic winner Lenson Express couldn't make it through to this years final, the four-year-old, a finalist in three major competitions this year, should be good enough to claim the Seniors race at 7:40, where Fargo Star rates the biggest danger.