THERE is no better time to visit Walthamstow Dog track, as it enters the final hurdle of the ten-day Racing Post Festival.

Currently in its fourth year the Festival has continued to grow and the Chingford Road Stadium has been buzzing for weeks with entries flooding in and dogs trialing to qualify for competition.

Held over five nights, proceedings got underway last Saturday, with the second night being staged on Tuesday, however there is still a chance to attend what many regard as the showpiece event in the dog racing calendar.

The traps fly open again tonight (Thursday), then on Saturday, with it all culminating in the Finals Night this Tuesday.

This showpiece event is really beginning to hot up as the best greyhounds compete for prize money in excess of £60,000, and we caught up with Walthamstow Stadium Director Ann Aslett at Tuesday nights meet.

"This Festival just continues to increase in popularity, which demonstrates the effort the Racing Post and ourselves have continued to put into it," said Ann.

"As an event it has got everything going for it, which obviously includes the Racing Post's backing, other quality sponsorship, Sky coverage and just a huge amount of interest from the punters."

Chairman Charles Chandler, who's family have owned the track since it opened in 1933 is also keen to point out the success it has had for dog racing.

He said: "We are enormously thrilled with the way the Festival has developed into a national event, and to do this in just four years is quite remarkable.

"The quality of racing this year has been unbelievable and next Saturday is our biggest night of the year. And there will also be a lot of people coming through the gates on Tuesday."

Suzanne Ladhams, marketing executive from the Racing Post also adds: "I think it is extremely important to have big events like this, because it brings everybody together whether it be the owners and trainers to the punters themselves."

Just as Cheltenham Festival is the highlight of the year for horseracing, the Racing Post Festival has become a touchstone for quality in greyhound racing.

And Post news editor Tony Smurthwaite believes the two sports are rapidly becoming closer.

He said: "Both rely on the crowd and the quality of the event and we have got some great action here and a brilliant atmosphere, so you can compare it to any horse racing event."

These sentiments are certainly echoed by the owners and punters, who also agree that the Festival has brought the best out in greyhound racing.

Dog owner and race sponsor Andrew Harris said: "Walthamstow is the number one track in the country and the Festival is the best thing that has happened to greyhound racing.

"The quality of the dogs and the prize money is what it has always needed."

Punter David Waller adds: "I think the fact that you can come here and have some great restaurant food and watch the action in comfort shows how far dog racing has come."

And with huge improvements being made at Walthamstow and greyhound racing in general it is no wonder former football star, turned actor Vinnie Jones has had no problems persuading stars like Brad Pitt and Claudia Schiffer to come along and cheer on his dogs.

Which Racing Post marketing executive Suzanne Ladhams, believes gives the dog's an excellent selling point.

She said: "I think what celebrities like Vinnie Jones have done for dog racing is remarkable, because people can relate to him.

"Vinnie has been coming here since he was a kid and still comes now, showing he hasn't forgotten his roots despite his new found fame and that is probably why you have people from every walk of life over here."

Ann Aslett is also keen to welcome all newcomers to the stadium and she said: "There has been a re-emergence in dog racing and people have realised that it has got a very fast good fun feel about it.

"I always use to say that it was Britain's best kept secret, but now people are talking about greyhound racing and the Festival is a top event that demonstrates this.

"So people living near to the stadium who have never been before should just give us a try and I can't think of a better time for them to do it than now."

For more information call Walthamstow Stadium on 8498 3300.