OUTSIDER Mr Copperfield came up trumps for Wolviston trainer Eddie McDermott in Sunderland's only open race last weekend.

A proposed big puppy competition failed to fill, and the spotlight was on the 640m event - and McDermott's recent recruit to six-bend racing produced the surprise of the night.

Mr Copperfield, a November 1998 Mr Pickwick-Springfield Jill Irish-bred dog had taken full advantage of a generous six metres start three days earlier from Pond Cordelia, but he was given little chance as he lined up for a level break against Harry Williams' entry in a strong field.

It was another bitch from the Williams kennels - Pond Ophela - which dominated the race and looked set for victory as 11-10 favourite until Mr Copperfield - an 8-1 shot - produced a storming finish to snatch the £100 prize money by threequarters of a length. Mr Copperfield started his racing career at Sunderland in May of last year as a 450m runner and graduate to A1 grade.

l Brough Park is gearing up for next month's prestigious Regal All England Cup, the final of which will be televised live for the first time. Now a Grade One open competition, with a first prize of £7,500, the event is bound to attract the best dogs in Britain, and the Tyneside track is organising trial stakes.

The Regal All England Cup starts on Friday, September 7, with the semi-finals four days later and the final on Tuesday, September 18.Before then there will be two trial stakes on August 21 and 28.