West Cumbrian speedway star Craig Cook’s Grand Prix campaign looks to be up and running after an impressive performance in Cardiff.

The former Workington Comets captain put in an improved showing in Sweden which gave hope that he was getting things together, and he delivered a confident performance on Saturday with three big wins.

Cook’s first ride did not go to plan as he was warned for movement at the start and finished at the back. But jet-propelled starts in his next three heats handed him nine points, with Cook seeing off title contender Freddie Lindgren, current championship leader Tai Woffinden.

The 31-year-old had a lucky escape from a dramatic crash in his final heat but his victories had been enough to secure a place in the semi-finals.

Cook’s luck ran out at that stage as he did not finish the semi-final but it was a good night’s work for the Brit and a platform for him to build on in the remaining five rounds.

Cook said: “Cardiff was a bit up and down for me but I made the semis, made progress and I just want to thank everybody for not just a great evening but an awesome weekend. Cardiff was special again.”

Meanwhile, Maryport’s Dan Bewley capped another remarkable weekend which saw him take a ride as a reserve in the Grand Prix with a podium finish in the second round of the World Under-21 Final series in Leszno on Sunday.

Comets racer Bewley won three of his five qualifying rides, including a victory over home favourite Bartosz Smektala, as he worked his way into the final, then picked up third place in a restarted race with series leader Maksym Drabik heading Smektala for a Polish one-two.

The result moves Bewley up to fifth in the overall standings.