WALTHAMSTOW gets set to stage its showpiece event of the year as the annual Racing Post Festival starts for real on Saturday.

Now in its tenth year and with in the region of £80,000 up for grabs in prize money, the Festival is once again set to put the sport firmly back on the map at the home of dog racing for the next ten days.

With the leading dogs from England and Ireland converging on the east London stadium to do battle, expect some real top draw action.

The UK's premier track will stage heats for 12 major competitions, with events reaching a climax on the Grand Gala Finals night on Tuesday November 20, televised live on Sky Sports where some top quality invitation races will also be staged.

Reflecting on events Walthamstow racing manager Chris Page said: "I'm pleased to say the Racing Post has once again chosen us to stage the Festival and it feels extra special this year given that it is the tenth anniversary of the event.

"The sport has suffered bacuse of competition from other leisure and sporting activities, but the Festival is always something special and I'm sure it will be no different this year."

Walthamstow's leading trainer, Mark Wallis, is also looking forward to events.

He said: "The Festival is one of the things we start looking at for our best runners some three months beforehand." With so much to pack in, the heats for the popular London Scurry and Goodwood Cup got underway on Tuesday night.

The six heats for the 430m Scurry started with 36 dogs battling out to make it through as one of the 18 dogs that will now compete in Tuesday's semi-finals.

Heat winners were Black Taxi, Elles Hawk, Legal Major, Perceptive Pacey, Westmead Prince and Vigorous Zico.

Also making it through were: Razidazl Eddie, Milldean Flash, Rooster Nosey, Sparta Master, Barnfield Haveit, Ashill View, Fivestar Oak, Central Bark, Tanner Butler, Emporio Rapide, Millions Girl and Riverside Lark. Meanwhile a thrilling Goodwood Cup final looks on the cards for Saturday, following three excellent heats on Tuesday night.

Favourite for the £1,000 competition Astute Gift justified his backing, when recording the fastest qualifying time on the night. Ernest Gaskin charge stopped the clock in a rapid 28.51secs to take heat one, where Bubbly Legend despite finishing some five and-a-quarter lengths further afield also made it through.

Quivers Punch secured victory in heat two with a narrow head win over Conker All in 28.70secs, although was later disqualified from the competition for interference.

Island View scored a victory in the final eliminator with a time of 28.77secs, while Barnfield Joe secured the last qualifying berth for the Festivals first final.

Saturday's trap draw: 1 Astute Gift, 2 Barnfield Joe, 3 Conker All, 4 Bubbly Legend, 5 Island View, 6 vacant.

The final itself promises to be just one race on an action-packed card on Saturday, with the heats for the Maiden and Senior Derbies, coupled with the Marathon getting underway. There will also be three, one-off contests, including a standard, a 475m hurdle and an excellent-looking stayers race. The pick of the action will see BGRB Greyhound of the Year in the making Spiridon Louis (pictured) looking to scoop another major finals victory in the 835m Victor Chandler Marathon after already tasting Regency Cup, TV Trophy and St Ledger success in 2007.

Lorraine Sams' former 640m track record holder goes in heat one and will face a real early test, as Grand Prix winner Foulden Special looks to make a successful step up in trip.

The pair should easily have the class to secure the two qualifying berths, and should be joined by En It, Centaur Fuji, Bubbly Kate and Killnascully Gal, who go in the other two remaining heats.

Arguably the best of the Senior Derby heats is the second of the night's eliminators in race six.

Where's Yer Man, in two, will be looking to start his quest of equalling Palace Issue's record of winning three consecutive finals at the Festival, having already secured titles in the Maiden Derby (2005) and the British Bred Stakes (2006). Ninja Blue and Ronnies Champion will likely battle for the second qualifying spot from this heat. Other potential qualifiers from the other eliminators Zigzag Dutchman, Caulry Fast Trap, Smoking Again and Bubbly Kate.

There is also set to be plenty of competition in the opening round of the Maiden Derby. Commander Chief, Lethal Luxury, Kilelton Rose, Bodell Mistress, Love Forever, Ronnies Hotsuff, Slick Spirit and Southlodge Turk, will probably be the favourites though to make it to Thursday's semi-finals.

HOT TIPS

OUR tipsters warmed up for the Festival with some good form, last week with two correct selections each. Mark Your Card, however snatched a 100 per cent strike rate with one non-runner, while Guardian Angel was only just denied a hat-trick after one of his selections finished second. The pairs' latest tips are from Saturday's card.

Mark Your Card

19.30 Race One Commander Chief

21.07 Race Eight Rio Quando

22.03 Race 12 Island View

Guardian Angel

19.57 Race Three Spiridon Louis

20.11 Race Four Kildare Lark

22.30 Race 14 Directors Chair