Only one place to start, the fabulous 28.21 run from puppy Havana Bale Out at Newcastle. As GM Ian Walton pointed out, the run can only be appreciated in terms of the time of year and going (-10). It is difficult to compare the current Newcastle circuit with the one where Droopys Shearer clocked 27.90 back in 2004. Ted Soppitt’s dog, who also broke clocks at Wimbledon, Coventry and Nottingham ran on a ‘Brough’ surface rated .30 fast.

Sticking with the Geordies and a journey the other way. Fortunately their hounds fare better than their football teams when south of Watford Gap. Following on from the Essex Vase win for Coolavanny Aunty, the track mate who finished fifth to her in last year’s Empress Stakes, Bellmore Sally, rubber stamped the form in the fastest Golden Jacket semi.

Then there was another successful Drew Richard bred ‘Havana’ at the weekend. Track record holder Havana Class turned over Crossfield Dusty, and clocked the fastest time in the second round of the Northamptonshire Sprint – remembering this four bend Cat On winner is no specialist sprinter.

The fact that half the Monmore Winter Derby heats were lost to mechanical failure shouldn’t detract from the 28.58 run (faster than all three heats that were staged) by puppy Tiffield Trajan.

At Nottingham, ex Donny D2 sprinter Ysbryd Gwynt, (which apparently translates from the Taff as being something like ‘ghostly wind’) clocked the fastest 305 so far this year for Geraldine Kovac. It is unusual to find a sprinter selection for Perry Barr but the track staged a decent open on Thursday where the year’s fastest 275m runner this year, Vaunt Lad (16.05) was turned over by John Lambe’s Robbies Tornado. Incidentally the seven fastest sprints at the track this year have all gone to Laughil Blake offspring. And a rare switch to two bends for the Yarmouth selection. Maxi Twister’s 16.32 run was on par with the sixth fastest clocking over that distance last year. And he won again at Towcester on Sunday.

Meanwhile at Henlow, Mister Eventful recorded the fastest 277m run so far in 2021, a 16.64 effort and his sixth win in his last seven races over course and distance. Jason Ray’s runner seems to have been freshened up with a couple of trials at Suffolk Downs where he has a best for the 388m trip of 24.23 (-20). The fastest winner at the first meeting there was Ann Kirby’s Jethro in 24.22 (-10)

At Sheffield on Tuesday, Acomb Winston chipped one spot off his personal best for the 500m course with a 28.66 run.

The fastest times of the year to date, over the three most popular distances recorded, were set at Harlow on Wednesday. In a comparison between a 14.96, 26.23 and 38.36 times, we’ll edge it to Kevin Proctor’s, Front Society.

A similar issue at Romford. Which is the better run, Zara Rosie’s 24.05 for 400m or Antigua Princess’s 35.29 for 575? The judge’s have for a tie-breaker and edge it to Mark Wallis’ bitch with four wins and a second in her last five outings compared to Paul Burr’s bitch with three wins and two seconds.

On Tuesday, Yvonne Bell’s Wanted Jasmine, who took 10 races to escape A6 company last summer, clocked the quickest 450 of the year to date at Sunderland. A future engagement with Matts Mink must surely be on the cards! Staying in the North East and a second 26.24 win in three races for the week’s sole A1 winner at Pelaw, Kilmessan Kyle.

Doncaster’s top slot is invariably decided in the week’s only A1. This week it took place on Sunday lunchtime and Glitter Gee, beaten a neck by the flying Afton Pixie last time out, reclaimed her crown with a 30.69 run. At neighbouring Kinsley, A3 was the highest middle distance grade and three were staged in consecutive races on Sunday. Quickest of the trio of winners was Kevin Seville’s Real Gent.

Candolom Oasis clocked a FOW 29.52 (+10) run at Hove, but we’ve got to edge it to the 29.65 (-20) success of Pocket Lulu. On the subject of Hove, Olympic finalist Borna Wine has returned to home track Central Park to take the recent Arc Standard Final in 29.55 on a slow track.

Also on Sunday, Goldies Perryman clocked the fastest 476 of the week. But for overall consistency, we have to give the nod to Houston Main for his fifth win in his last six Swindon outings.