CANDY MAN made a hugely successful return to the track when posting the fastest time in the heats of the unique Gain Greyhound Nutrition 3 Steps To Victory at Sheffield on Tuesday.

The three-round event is run over 480m, 500m and 660m and the Carol Weatherall-trained Candy Man showed the necessary speed and stamina to throw down the gauntlet to his rivals in heat three of the GBGB Category One event over 480m.

Leading off the second bend, the March 2019 son of Holdem Spy and Wont Fall Behind was never in danger thereafter as the local hope raced clear to win by three and a quarter lengths from Abigails Buddy (Jason Bloomfield) and Bettys Book (Kevin Boon) in 27.59sec.

The competition kicked off with victory for the Mark Wallis-trained Bombardier (27.68sec) who made a winning debut for the 11-time champion trainer having raced for Pat Buckley in the Derby. Leading close home, the two-year-old caught another Weatherall runner in Nipsey Hustle.

Bandicoot Sammy (28.09sec), who also raced at Towcester under the care of Irish handler Robert Gleeson, scored a second victory for Ken Dobson in heat two. Pacing up well, the August 2018 son of Droopys Sydney led at the turn before winning by just over a length from Alaskan Dawn (Heather Dimmock).

Kid Haaland landed a double for Carol Weatherall in heat four, hitting the front at the third bend after a strong surge, before crossing the line four lengths clear for kennelmate Fight The Power to complete a good night for the Weatherall camp. The winning time was 27.78sec.

Michael O’Donnell’s local Lemming Caesar (27.83sec) edged out rivals Swift Woof (Barrie Draper) and Savana Eruption (Diane Henry) in heat five, while the final heat saw an impressive all-the-way victory for James Gaskin’s Santro Duke (27.82sec) from Maximum Security (Nigel Saunders) and Ballydoyle Razor (Phil Barlow).

Andrew Mascarenhas, who recently took up the role of director of racing at Owlerton Stadium, was delighted with how the competition was supported – and how the 480m heats unfolded.

He said: “At the time of closing for the 3 steps, entries stood at 48 for a 36-runner competition, but the office were more or less in agreement with what made the cut. Most had staying form, whether it be GBGB form or Irish, which we tended to lean towards.

“Team Weatherall will undoubtedly be the happiest of all the trainers with all their entries qualifying from the heats, plus ante-post favourite Candy Man clocking the fastest time of the night. Bombardier was impressive on his debut for Mark Wallis, while I thought Alaskan Dawn and Savana Eruption both ran well in defeat.

“Thanks, of course, to Gain Greyhound Nutrition for once again supporting this unique competition.

“As for myself, I’ve settled in well with the team here in the office at Sheffield. I’d previously worked with Richard (Munton, racing manager) at Doncaster, which made the transition from Kinsley to Sheffield easier. I also had some familiarity with various trainers.

“I’m enjoying seeing crowds back and a strong betting ring – we’ve three on-course bookmakers here – which given the consistent open-race schedule here is vitally important.”

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=376743&raceId=768405