Anstey who was runner-up to John McGuinness in the Superbike Class on Tuesday and headed the Superstock section said: "I've never been happier at the North West 200. It's always a place for giant joy right from the first time I won here in the early part of this century. Since those days I have come on strongly and now that I have nine wins at the North West in total I will be focusing on Michael Rutter's record number of wins for an overseas competitor.

"He has managed to chalk up 11 victories but hopefully I can beat that this year.

"That's not saying I regard Rutter as a soft-touch as he and McGuinness are hard competitors to beat. I'm not counting my chickens that's for sure.

"Happily I had a good practice session with the exception of the Supersport which was cut short because of an accident I didn't make it in the first six.

"But that doesn't bother me. I know when I'm riding tonight that I'll be determined to qualify for the 600cc class which means such a lot to me. After all I was successful last year and this was part of my treble.

"It would be nice to repeat a three-timer on this occasion and to be honest with you I feel fairly confident. There are no problems with the bike that I can see and I have the will to push myself all the way in order to grab the number of wins I need to reach the top of the list.

"Although I'm 39 years of age I still have plenty of fire in my belly and I don't like being beaten. I have to thank the TAS Suzuki team for putting me where I am and I'm sure I won't let them down."

Needless to say Anstey regards his major opposition in the Superbike class as McGuinness. John is very much a big-time competitor and Anstey is sure he will find it tough enough edging out the Cumbrian rider.

He says: "John has an inside track on the North West. He always does well and as far as I'm concerned he'll be the man I'll be watching."

Rutter naturally enough will grab a lot of attention according to Anstey.

"He appears to be in form at present and has a very fast bike in the new North West 200 Ducati", Anstey said.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Michael took us all out but then motorcycling is like that. You can do well in practice and falter in the race itself."

Steve Plater, who has won the Superbike class three times in two years, also grabs Anstey's attention but if you were to pin Bruce against the wall he would tell you that McGuinness is the man he fears most of all.

Then we have the Superstock which has been an Anstey benefit for as long as anyone can remember.

He and Alistair Healey were first and second in this race last year and they hold the same positions after practice. Anstey said: Healey hung on to me like grim death in 2007 and I know he's going to be hard to shake off.

"He is a confident rider and has an exuberance which can be infectious."

Anstey regards the Superstock race as his main chance. "If I don't win this I will be very disappointed," he said.

And he admitted that he doesn't suffer from any nerves before a race.

"I have the sort of nature which stays calm throughout and I've been known to sleep-in before a meeting starts, as was the case last year."