Newcomer Senahel Song enjoyed a winning debut over 540m at the weekend.

The Steve Gammon-trained greyhound had an impressive trial over the distance last Wednesday and won in a decent time of 34.17 seconds, at generous looking odds of 5-1, following on from the trial time of 34.10.

That trial time was always going to put the dog in with a shout at this level.

After breaking away from the traps in third place, he quickly took control at the first bend and never looked in any danger from that point, winning by just under two lengths. This was only the dog’s fifth career race so he is one for your notebooks.

We have the final of the JB Riney MBE Boxing Day Marathon to look forward to over the Christmas period and with a winner’s prize of £2,500, you can be sure that the best long distance dogs will be competing.

This race is over 874m which is a spectacle in itself. The greyhounds will race over two and a half circuits of the track and we have three heats advertised for Saturday night, hopefully giving 18 top-stayers going to traps.

Just a reminder that the Boxing Day meeting here is our most popular of the year and we will be opening at 9am, so early arrival is recommended. The races will be between 10.48am and 1.58pm.

Last Saturday night saw Fizzypop Magic winning over 874m for visiting trainer June Harvey, who is attached to Poole Stadium.

After a top performance, the dog’s connections confirmed that they will be returning for the JB Riney race.

The greyhound was slow away from the traps, exiting in last place but if you’re good enough over this distance, then the class will show and so it proved.

She took up the running into the home straight, pulling away and crossing the finish line seven lengths clear. She would be a big player on Boxing Day if reaching the final.

We have a busy race schedule here over the holiday period and full details can be viewed at www.crayford.com.

Many thanks for following this column and I would like to take this opportunity to wish all readers a happy christmas and new year.