Following on from last week’s advice regarding the importance of a fast start away from the traps, newcomer Tolerton Dasher proved the point admirably when winning his debut race here last Friday evening.

The greyhound has joined Crayford trainer Arun Green’s kennels after having had 18 previous races at Henlow. Interestingly the last three were sprint races over 277 metres.

Clearly the dog’s connections were trying to make the most of his early pace and the standard 380 metres distance here may well prove to be an ideal trip for him on this evidence.

Having recorded sectional times between 3.68 and 3.72 seconds during his three grading trials, he managed a fast 3.53 seconds at the weekend when it mattered most, which in effect won him the race.

Cloncool Apache was impressive when winning a good quality A2 race, also on Friday’s card.

On paper the race looked to me, given the participants, one of those that will prove to be a decent form guide over the next few weeks.

This was win number three from six starts which is an excellent strike rate and has seen the Paul Tompsett trained greyhound win races at levels A4, A3 and now A2.

What registered with me was the way the dog progressed in this race from last place when the traps opened to work his way through the field to get up and win by half a length.

Cloncool will now have his first chance against top class A1 opposition on his reappearance and will run well if he can improve his sectional time.

I am going to also give a vote of confidence to one of my favourite dogs, Liskees Joy, who was the unlucky runner-up behind Cloncool Apache, having led only to be caught on the line.

Highlight of the weekend was to see track favourite Newlawn Sweep winning his two hundredth competitive race.

It was the icing on the cake for a dog that is admired by all.

His trainer informs me that he has no plans to retire Sweep until the dog tells him that it is time!

He is only the fourth dog in the last five years to reach the double century of races and to mark the occasion he received a special trophy from the stadium.

I for one am looking forward to seeing a few more races and wins from the old timer.