A class field has been assembled for William Hill's 'Classic', the centrepiece of their Festival of Racing at Sunderland.
Scottish Derby winner Tyrur Kieran is the favourite for outright honours and if back to his best Paul Hennessey's Irish Raider should go well. He's goes in the second heat tonight and has a cracking draw in trap 1 inside of middle seed Barnfield Mike. The admirable Toosey Blue will provide stiff opposition and he is tempting at the 14/1 put up by Bet365 and Stan James. Throw in Plough Lane and you have a tough looking heat though and I'll look elsewhere for some value.
Charlie Lister's dogs always merit respect and Irish Puppy Derby runner up and Derby finalist Kryptonite is taken to make another big final. Generally available at 8/1 he's decent value and can get his campaign off to a winning start in heat four at the expense of Kilkenny Lonjack.
Another dog worth a little each way interest is Graham Hutt's Barnfield Weeman. The main reason for backing this son of Australian sire Token Prince is the price. Ladbrokes have him at 16/1 while VC Bet and Paddy Power go 100/1. In truth the correct price is probably somewhere between the two but he looks capable of qualifying from the first heat and is worth a small bet.
Bets - 8 points win Kryptonite (8/1 generally available), 1 point each way Barnfield Weeman (100/1 VC Bet, Paddy Power)
