MOVE OVER CHA landed his second GBGB Category One title when scoring an all-the-way victory in the Arc Classic Final (450m) at Sunderland last week.

 

Trained by Angela Harrison for Tony Camsell, Fred Ellison and Bobby Lindsay, the August 2020 son of Gaytime Hawk and Move Over Eliza lined up as a one of two runners in the £10,000-to-the-winner decider for the Newcastle handler – the other being All England Cup champion Moanteen Mikey.

 

However, a better exit from Move Over Cha secured an early advantage from both Moanteen Mikey and the Garry Hamilton-trained Breaghmore Patch and the eventual winner was never headed thereafter as he went on to cross the line a length and a quarter clear of Breaghmore Patch in a fast 26.76sec (+20).

 

The victory for Move Over Cha added the Arc Classic title to his success in the Ladbrokes Gold Cup at Monmore. He also finished second in the BresBet Steel City Cup at Sheffield behind Signet Goofy – Breaghmore Patch was third – and improved his UK career tally to eight wins from 13 starts by winning at Sunderland. He continues to impress.

 

Andrew Dalby provided the commentary on the night for Sky Sports Racing and enjoyed overseeing a cracking night’s open racing – topped off by the Arc Classic Final. Dalby has followed the career of Move Over Cha closely since seeing his UK debut at Newcastle in July, which proved a winning one.

 

He said: “I was on duty for Sky Sports that night and remember being impressed straight away with him. He overcame a tricky start for a convincing win and he’s gone on to become a superbly determined runner once in front.

 

“He’s been pipped only once in the closing stages of a race he’s controlled when Signet Goofy won the photo-finish at Sheffield – and 500m there is probably the limit of Cha’s stamina – all of which meant Sunderland’s 450m for the Arc Classic looked perfect for him to stay in command once he’d made the first bend in front.

 

“In winning Move Over Cha captured his second Category One title in fine style, although mention should be made of his kennelmate Moanteen Mikey, who’d dominated the competition up to that point. I was going into the final ready to acclaim Moanteen Mikey as the first ever greyhound to do the All England Cup and Classic double.

 

“However, it’s now Move Over Cha who has a chance to claim that slice of history in a few weeks’ time. He’s still only two years and three months old, with just 16 races on the card – 13 in the UK and three in Ireland – in what’s already an outstanding career with two major events landed. He has proved a great purchase for Angela’s (Harrison) team.

 

“Overall it was a superb night’s racing at Sunderland on final night and mention should be made of Tom Heilbron’s 18-month-old Links Maverick who dominated an all-aged maiden in 26.70sec (+30). With more experience he looks the type worth following.

 

“In fact, it takes a lot for such a young pup to make me confidently tell the crowd “good luck catching him” as early as the second bend!”

 

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=391247&raceId=890914