CHELMS BEAR heads into Monday’s final of the Arena Racing Company Birmingham Cup at Nottingham as the fastest semi-final winner after powering to victory in the semi-finals and raising the prospect of a first Category One success for the popular tracker after several near-misses in major events.

Third in both the Time 3 Steps To Victory at Sheffield and Arc Select Stakes at Nottingham behind Wicky Ned having also run-up to Proper Heiress in the Coral Sussex Cup Final, the greyhound formerly known as Barntick Bear produced his trademark rousing finish to collar Cunnigar Yousir (Nathan Hunt) round the last bend in the first semi to win by three lengths in 28.43sec (+20).

Winning trainer Craig Morris said of the 37-kilo April 2022 son of Droopys Sydney and Barntick Smokey: “He’s just a giant of a dog and I’m delighted to have him.

“I had him before the 3 Steps and he ran well there and it was the same at Hove. He also ran great there, only beaten by a dog who’s running in the Irish Derby semis in Proper Heiress, and I’m still convinced he’d have pushed him closer if he’d got a clearer run round the last two bends!

“Then to run third in the Select Stakes for us behind Wicky Ned and Droopys Plunge was pretty good you’d have to say – it’s certainly some formline.

“He obviously did great for Patrick (Janssens) and his previous owners beforehand and it’s been great to have him in the kennel.

“It’s a pretty busy few days for us – quite a big weekend! We’ve got March On Luna in the (Coral Romford) Puppy Cup final at Romford and I suppose shows we’re doing the right thing. She’ll have the (Premier Greyhound Racing) Oaks at Dunstall Park as a target.”

The Mark Wallis-trained Kilmore Dancer proved too strong for his rivals in the second semi and now looks to land the champion trainer a first Birmingham Cup success.

The November 2022 son of Ballymac Bolger and Kilmore Diamond was led early by Droopys Artillery (Sean Parker) but came through best of all to lead off the last bend for a two and a half lengths win over that rival in 28.56sec (+20).

Trap draw for Monday’s Arena Racing Company Birmingham Cup: 1 Kilmore Dancer, 2 Cunnigar Yousir, 3 Chelms Bear, 4 Droopys Artilery (m), 5 Toddys Tank (m), 6 Brinkleys Louis (w).