YORKSHIRE raider Stay For John will be favourite to lift the £2,000 first prize in the Ladbrokes Webcasting Trophy at Sunderland after his two smash-and-grab visits to Tyneside this year.

The Malton-based flyer, trained by former jockey Johnny Seagrave, lifted the £1,000 KBS Gold Cup and the £2,000 William Hill Gold Cup in unbeaten runs at Brough Park and might have had a hat-trick before illness forced his withdrawal from the Regal Gold Cup at Sunderland after winning his heat.

Stay For John and will be well supported to win tonight's race at the East Boldon track at the expense of local hope Evas Boy, trained at Witton-le-Wear by Harry Williams.

Williams looks to have a better chance in the first heat, where his A1 racer Pond Imogen has a good trap two draw against another Yorkshire-based entry, Cucara Chudleys, which has drawn trap three. Trained by Elaine Parker at Sheffield, Cucara Chudleys clocked a decent 27.81 secs in a two-dog trial at Sunderland last week and should run faster tonight.

In-form track dog Olwyns Lad clocked an impressive 27.36 secs winning a top A1 race at East Boldon on Saturday night and will be strongly fancied in heat three.

The competition has attracted a reasonable entry, despite clashing with the Regal Scottish Derby. Because of the clash Sunderland have cancelled their plans to stage supporting opens to run alongside the final of the Ladbroke Webcasting Trophy on Saturday night.

* Bishop Auckland trainer Stuart Ray is enjoying consistent success with two of his Brough Park graders, Jumbos Pepper and Monmahogue Top.

Jumbos Pepper, bred, owned and trained by Ray, has graduated from A7 to A5 after winning three consecutive races.