Events / Darrell Williams / 10 July 2009 / Leave a comment

Darrell Williams previews the big races on Sunderland's Saturday card.

Sunderland's UK Festival of Racing continues on Saturday with semi-finals of both feature events, the Classic and Grand Prix. Although a few fancied runners - the likes of Ninja Jamie and Centaur Allstar in the former, and Midway Skipper in the latter - fell by the wayside in the opening gambit, most of the big guns survived to set up what should be fascinating finals on next Thursday's live Sky Sports-covered gala card.

Despite the high quality nature of both events, I firmly believe that Hurleys Hero and Ardkill Tunoco are worthy favourites for the Grand Prix and Classic respectively, and should be backed at [3.0] and [3.55].

The former has that all important ingredient in any six-bend performer - early speed. He demonstrated that majestically when slaughtering his field to win the Cock O'The North at Belle Vue last month in a track record time. Similar rapid fire tactics at traps rise in last weekend's first round ensured his unbeaten record since stepping up to six bends was never going to be threatened and it's hard not to see him taking the sequence to seven in the third semi-final (8.04).

Kennelmate Crown Rover - both represent rookie handler Jimmy Wright - was marginally quicker when clocking the fastest time in the heats, but has drawn by far the toughest semi-final (7.30) up against defending champion Lenson Joker, another kennelmate East County who is on a six-timer and Summer Stayers winner, Droopys Zach. For those who relish a challenge I'd like to think Crown Rover, by virtue of a draw inside Lenson Joker, might be the one, but given the latter's hitherto unbeaten record at the track (4/4) I certainly wouldn't be too bullish.

Tony Collett's dog, it should be remembered, has run only four times so far this year and was having his first six bend race since last autumn's Leger semi-final in the heats and can again qualify for the final. My ante-post saver however is Corrig Vieri, who I fancy to win the other semi-final (7.47).

Mark Wallis' Arc champion is available at [9.6] outright, and having run Hurleys Hero to two lengths in the heats should claim the victory. Bubbly Totti, like Lenson Joker, has not raced over six bends since late last year but can overcome an awkward draw to also qualify.

Julie Bateson must be delighted with Ardkill Tunoco, who followed up his emphatic Tyneside Derby success by clocking the fastest time in the first round heats of the Classic and having avoided most of the big guns can book his place in the final by winning the 8.52 semi-final. Consistency is his forte, and a glance at his previous Sunderland record also confirms his obvious liking for the Wearside circuit.

Reigning Golden Sprint winner Glenroe Ginger has been winning races for fun this season, registering ten victories from fifteen starts, but has drawn by far the toughest semi-final (8.20) and while I thoroughly respect his chances he represents little in the way of value.

It's not a race I'm falling over to get involved with, but if forced to play I'd rather side with Gymcrack winner Droopys Bogart, who can improve on his heat winning performance. Blood Of Kings (8.36) can complete a double for Bateson by taking what is undoubtedly the weakest semi-final at the expense of Mario Gomez.