The William Hill Festival at Sunderland commences tonight with two cracking competitions, the Classic over 450m and the Grand Prix over 640m. The sponsors must be delighted with the entries, and with £40,000 and £20,000 up for grabs it is not surprising to see the top dogs in the country on show.
Williamhill.com Classic 450m - the first of my ante post selections goes in heat 5 at 10.13. Blue Artisan is now taking on all-aged company as he is a July 08 whelp, but after the demolition of his rivals in the Gymcrack at Hall Green, he looks ready to take the step up in class. He boasts all round pace and his 26.97 solo trial last week proves he will be a tough dog to beat. He can do it both ways and he is in a difficult heat, however Harry Williams' youngster can qualify for the semi finals. 8/1 is available with Bet365, Stan James and Paddy Power. He looks a solid each way ante post bet.
My second selection will be Superb Course. 20/1 is available with Bet365 and Stan James, and I will be playing each way in the ante post market. He goes in heat 1 and is a middle seed drawn in trap 6. In his solo trial on Monday he clocked 26.96 off a 4.81 split. That awsome early pace will stand him in good stead around here, with the long run to the first bend an added bonus. He will need to trap smartly with the likes of Fear Zafonic in the field.
Williamhill.com Grand Prix 640m - in a very open competition Kinda Easy for Mark Wallis in heat 5 at 9.24 is favourite across the board, however the 7/1 freely available looks tempting. Last year's St Leger winner has now struck a rich vein of form. He handed out a five length beating to He Went Whoosh at Oxford over 645m on Sky last week. Wallis gave him a two bend spin around here on Monday when he clocked 15.77. He possesses good early pace and is also blessed with great stamina. I expect him to march through to the semi finals by when the 7/1 will be long gone.
Seamus Cahill told me that Raving Black will probably head to Romford for next month's Champion Stakes over 575m. Cahill's son of Westmead Hawk goes in heat 2 at 7.47. He hasn't had a recent look round here, but he is a dog to have on your side to put it all in and keep qualifying as he showed during his Derby campaign over a trip that was too short for him. He is not in an easy heat as his rivals include England Expects, Bridge Diamond and Hurleys Hero. The track and trip should suit. An each way punt at 16/1 is advised. That price is freely available.
Catch the action live in William Hill betting shops or visit Williamhill.com.
