Pirates promoter Matt Ford has given his backing to the field for the Darcy Ward Invitational.

Top stars including Emil Sayfutdinov, Chris Holder and Przemek Pawlicki will ride at Wimborne Road on Friday.

Ford told the Daily Echo: "It's a field that is worthy of the rider himself and I cannot wait to see Emil race and catch up with the likes of Przemek Pawlicki.

"It will be a great meeting to watch and I hope it is successful for Darcy. As long as the weather is kind, people will turn out in force.

"We've done everything we can do to try to make it a success for Darcy, so fingers crossed that is achievable."