Michael Rutter is going for his ninth Superbike crown

Rutter, going for his ninth Superbike success, pipped Bruce Anstey by 100th of a second with John McGuinness taking the final place in the front row.

Anstey, however, continued to dominate the Superstock and Supersport 600 races to take pole position on Saturday.

Rain played its part in restricting the 250cc and 125/400cc classes.

Rutter happy with Kawasaki handling

Anstey in tune for Superbike battle

But it was the man they dub Mr North West who stole the show before the rains came.

Rutter clocked a time of 122.22mph to nip ahead of flying Kiwi Anstey, who had posted the fastest time on his Suzuki during Tuesday's practice.

John McGuinness on a Honda was not far off the mark either by clocking 122.05 with Steven Plater fourth.

Anstey lifted his Superstock time to 120.29 just ahead of Carrickfergus's Alastair Seeley with Cameron Donald third.

In the Supersport 600, Anstey heads Guy Martin with Cameron Donald third.

Tuesday's times for the 250cc and 125/400cc classes stand which sees Darren Burns and Oliver Linsdell take the respective pole positions.

Overall practice times:

Superbikes

1. Michael Rutter (Kawasaki) 122.22mph
2. Bruce Anstey (Suzuki) 122.21
3. John McGuinness (Honda) 122.05
4. Steve Plater (Yamaha) 120.87
5. Ryan Rainey (Yamaha) 120.57
6. Guy Martin (Honda) 120.51

Superstock
1. Bruce Anstey (Suzuki) 120.29mph
2. Alastair Seeley (Yamaha) 119.24
3. Cameron Donald (Honda) 118.00
4. Adrian Archibald (Suzuki) 117.525
5. Denver Robb (Suzuki) 116.86
6. Keith Amor (Honda) 116.38

Supersport 600
1. Bruce Anstey (Suzuki) 116.66
2. Guy Martin (Honda) 115.31
3. Cameron Donald (Honda) 114.58
4. Keith Amor (Honda) 114.49
5. John McGuinness (Honda) 113.58
6. Alastair Seeley (Yamaha) 113.70

250cc class
1. Darren Burns (Honda) 106.77
2. John McGuinness (Honda) 105.96
3. David Morgan (Honda) 103.91
4. Christian Elkin (Honda) 103.77
5. Paul Robinson (Honda) 103.76
6. Ian Morrell (Honda) 103.35

125/400 class
1. Oliver Linsdell (400 Yamaha) 104.69
2. Michael Wilcox (125 Honda) 101.60
3. Chris Palmer (125 Honda) 100.88
4. Robert Dunlop (125 Aprilia) 100.79
5. Mark Parrett (400 Honda) 99.98
6. David Lemon (125 Aprilia) 99.80