History was created at the Stadium on Thursday with the first dead-heat in one of the sports’ oldest races as Farloe Kraven (8-1) and Westmead Palace (3-1) could not be separated in the final of the £2,000 Cesarewitch.

First run in 1928, the race had probably never seen the excitement in the closing stages at Henlow raider Westmead Palace came storming up the home straight, chasing leader Farloe Kraven.

Palace was in only fourth place at the final bend and even so, many thought the black dog had got up to collar Kraven.

But, the latter, trained by former Oxford trainer Paddy Curtin, just held on at the line to share the spoils in a humdinger of a finish, posting 40.16.

The magnificent trophy, the biggest and oldest in greyhound racing proved a double delight for both sets of owners, but an expensive one for management in having to duplicate the trophies and racing jackets.

St Leger winner Aero Majestic was all the rage in the ring, but the 5-4 favourite could never get in a blow after a poor start and crowding at the first and was never nearer than fifth.

Oxford runner Liosgarbh West trained by Bob Hannan was far from disgraced, finishing a neck and half a length off the dead heaters.

Champagne Perry (Richard Yeates) stormed home from Trafalgar Cup winner Spen-cers Lad in the Joe Sargent Memorial trophy, while Sudden Decision (Maurice Mass-ey), put his devastating finish to good effect to land the Tythe Barn Staff Classic in 37.08.