MINDHOWYOUGO set the standard in the semi-finals of the Arena Racing Company Classic at Sunderland on Thursday as the Stuart Tighe-trained runner added to a growing reputation with a fastest-time-of-the-night success.

Improving his UK record to five wins from six starts since joining Tighe, the June 2019 son of Sparta Maestro and Dark Vanity was well away in the third semi and, edging Coolavanny Galiv into the bend, stretched out to eventually score by a length from Borna Dime (Peter Ancell). The winning time was a fast 26.91sec.

The pair now line up in next week’s £6,500 final and will be joined by two runners from George Cunningham’s kennel after Narcos The Great won the first semi-final and kennelmate Lav Yin Yak qualified behind Dunquin Dreamer in the second semi.

Narcos The Great finished well to shade longtime leader Moanteen Mikey in their clash in the first semi, the latter riding a bump at the bend to lead the charge before being reeled in by the son of Droopys Jet and College Jade who won by a short-head in 27.23sec.

Pelaw Grange handler Brian Fairbairn struck in the second semi as his Dunquin Dreamer sprang an 18-1 surprise with a strong-running display, catching pace-setting Little Venture (Tom Heilbron) before crossing the line a length and a half in front of another Cunningham-trained finalist Lav Yin Yak in 27.35sec for the 450m trip.

Ian Walton, general manager at Newcastle but at sister track Sunderland on Thursday for the open-race action, said: “I thought it was a fantastic night’s racing at Sunderland and has set up a wide-open final on Thursday.

“The Stuart Tighe-trained Mindhowyougo was very impressive in winning his semi-final, repeating his heat victory. He’s recording brilliant sectionals and winning times – and there’s no doubt the Newcastle runner looks to be improving after settling in and must be a leading contender now in the final.

“The final might not have some of the runners we expected at the start, certainly as the betting market suggested, but they’re all worthy of their place in the final.

“It’ll be a big night for trainers George Cunningham, Peter Ancell (Borna Dime) and Brian Fairbairn (Dunquin Dreamer). George has done especially well to qualify both Lav Yin Yak and Narcos The Great, but all three will relish their opportunity in a Category One final and will fancy their chances of scooping the first prize.

“Angela Harrison’s kennel is no stranger to big-race success and will look to Moanteen Mikey to bring home the trophy, but I’d say there was not a huge amount between all six.

“It promises to be a fantastic and high-quality evening’s racing at Sunderland on Thursday with supporting finals and open racing making it a real Classic night of action.”

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=379316&raceId=790669

Trap draw for Thursday’s Arena Racing Company Classic Final: 1 Lav Yin Yak, 2 Narcos The Great (m), 3 Borna Dime (m), 4 Dunquin Dreamer (m), 5 Mindhowyougo (m), 6 Moanteen Mikey (w).