CHELMS BEAR landed the Category One title his talents deserve with a popular victory in the Arena Racing Company Birmingham Cup Final at Nottingham on a night the Colwick Park venue also staged the Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger Final.

Playing his part on a major double header in the east Midlands, Chelms Bear also provided the perfect birthday present for his Yarmouth-based trainer Craig Morris when, in his fifth Category One decider, he came out on top in typical strong-running style and on a special day for his handler – his birthday!

The perfect birthday present, Morris was also landing his first Category One title with the the 37-kilo April 2022 son of Droopys Sydney and Barntick Smokey, formerly known as Barntick Bear and who first emerged as a real star of the track when running-up in last year’s Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby Final at Monmore.

Joining Morris earlier this year when purchased by Lee Harris and renamed Chelms Bear, he finished third in the Time 3 Steps To Victory at Sheffield and ran-up to Proper Heiress in the Coral Sussex Cup Final, also finishing third in the Arc Select Stakes, by which time he had been bought by John Tarpley, James Edwards and John Wright.

Lining up the 10-11 favourite after strong-running wins in heats and semi-final, he was once again led by Cunnigar Yousir (Nathan Hunt) but had moved into a handy pitch off the second bend and always looked a major threat thereafter.

Monmore’s Cunnigar Yousir led into the home-straight where Chelms Bear now turned on the style and swooped through ahead of Kilmore Dancer (Mark Wallis) to claim a three-quarters of a length victory over that rival in 28.14sec (+60) for the 480m.

Winning trainer Morris said: “That was just brilliant and I’m happy with that birthday present!

“I knew once he’d got round the second bend he’d take the world of holding. The shorter run to the bend for the 480m has actually helped him stay in touch because he’s such a good bend runner and, providing he doesn’t get a knock, you’d fancy him to pick up most leaders. He’s just so strong and so deserves this.

“I’ve got to thank Patrick (Janssens) given how well Bear came into us, and then Lee (Harris) for getting him into the kennel in the first place,” said Morris. “Thanks also to the two Johns and James who own him now – they had a great night.

“I’d also like to thank Megan Rance here at the kennels who does so much hard work here with the dogs and has a special relationship with Bear, as we all have I suppose. Megan is a vital part of what we do.”

“I had loads of messages on the night and the morning after. I think he’s just one of those dogs that greyhound fans love to watch run and to get a Cat One on the board for him – and me! – is great. He’ll have a short rest now but Central Park or Sheffield are possible targets for him.

“Thankyou to the sponsors and to Nottingham for looking after us so well on the night.”

 

Photos: © Steve Nash