JONATHAN HOBBS: It might not be the competition it once was, but the Arena Racing Company Classic at Sunderland is still a Category One event and produced some cracking action when the heats were staged at the north east venue last week.

It’s semi-final night on Thursday with a host of supporting opens and competitions and Sky Sports Racing are scheduled to pick up some of the races live – hopefully including the three semi-finals of the Classic.

There are also heats of a sprint and standard event, so plenty for punters to get stuck into as the open-week winds itself up ahead of Romford on Friday and Crayford’s cracking Saturday morning card featuring the Ladbrokes Gold Collar heats and Towcester’s Hunt Cup final card on Sunday.

Let’s have a look at Sunderland’s card.

Sunderland

6.19: Skywalker Stan ran well at Sheffield recently in a puppy event and should continue on the up in the opening contest for youngsters. Ted Soppitt’s dog had a recent sprint sighter which can help matters, as does the draw outside a slower breaker.

Play: Skywalker Stan

6.36: Heat one of the sprint and Stuart Tighe’s Sonic Vegas could be the call. The draw inside helps matters against the likes of Pennylane Socks and Coal Butler, but the red- jacketed runner trialled well and has nothing to find with these on the clock.

Play: Sonic Vegas

6.51: Another one for the Tighe kennel? Certainly the way Sonic Emjay drew clear of Pennylane Socks last week caught the eye and timewise a 15.73sec had clockwatchers purring. He should lead those rivals inside and might always be one step ahead in this two-bender.

Play: Sonic Emjay

7.26: Angela Harrison’s kennel has been in tip-top form of late and they send out Moanteen Mikey in this first semi-final of the Classic. Improvement from the Laurels finalist looks likely after a recent break and the draw make-up looks perfect for stripes to flourish.

Play: Moanteen Mikey

7.41: The draw could also be crucial in this second semi-final of the Classic. Tom Heilbron’s early paced Little Venture was just pegged back by kennelmate Freedom Whiskey in the heats but expect improvement from the inside runner after a break.

Play: Little Venture

7.58: The third semi-final of the Classic is the best and places in next week’s final will not be easily gained! A case can be made for all six, but Coolavanny Galiv’s 4.75sec split suggests a lead is possible for Angela Harrison’s dog which could be crucial.

Play: Coolavanny Galiv

8.46: Optic Jimmy catches the eye in this third heat of the 450m event. Harry Burton’s dog brings A1-winning form from Newcastle to the table and looked unlucky to miss out on a place in the Classic semis last week behind Moanteen Mikey, finishing fourth in a blanket finish.

Play: Optic Jimmy

Good luck all.

@Hobbsy67