MOVE OVER CHA scored a second Gold Cup victory for Angela Harrison with victory in the Ladbrokes-sponsored GBGB Category One showpiece at Monmore on Saturday.

 

On a huge night at the Wolverhampton venue with the Gold Cup sharing the stage with the Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic – both offered a £10,000 first prize – plus supporting competitions, the four-bend annual once again headed to the north east with success for the August 2020 son of Gaytime Hawk and Move Over Eliza.

 

Completing an unbeaten run through the event and landing an impressive fourth win in just five UK starts, the Tony Camsell, Fred Ellison and Bobby Lindsay-owned Clonmel winner led home older rivals with a cracking exhibition of early pace and front-running.

 

Although out-trapped by Annadown King (Mark Wallis) outside, Move Over Cha was soon prominent inside and, while there was nothing between the pair at the bend, the eventual winner made the most of his inside draw to nose head off the turn.

 

With crowding among their rivals behind, it was left to Move Over Cha and Annadown King to battle for big-race glory and Harrison’s dog was not for catching as the two-year-old crossed the line a length and a half ahead in 28.59sec (-20) to notch a second Ladbrokes Gold Cup winner for the kennel after Droopys Buick’s win in 2017.

 

Newcastle also won the Gold Cup in 2021 with Stuart Tighe’s Minglers Popeye and Jimmy Wright, partner and assistant to the winning trainer, was delighted to see the trophy return to the track.

 

He told RPGTV: “He’s a young pup who’s come on in leaps and bounds. Thanks to Rachel Wheeler for getting us the dog and to the sponsors and Monmore. We’ll take him next to Sheffield for the (BresBet) Steel City Cup.”

 

Part-owner Fred Ellison was also delighted to have won the 2022 version having been involved in the Chris Lund-trained Bucks Yahoo, the 2010 Gold Cup champion.

 

Summing up another high-class night’s racing at Monmore, stadium manager Paul Mason said: “The atmosphere here was as electric as the racing itself, with a good crowd enjoying watching the stars of the track perform.

 

“Congratulations must go to connections of Move Over Cha and Warzone Tom winning the two main events in the form of the Ladbrokes Gold Cup and Ladbrokes Summer Stayers Classic respectively.

 

“Both produced great performances to win, as did the winners of the supporting opens and finals – Kaluki, Chasing Asling, Romeo Mcqueen, Maglass Brave, Bambis Magic and not forgetting the blistering pace shown by the appropriately named Gougane Jet.

 

“Saturday was also a celebration and time for reflection with the retirement of Sheila Tudor,  a longtime kennelhand for Kim Billingham and previous winner of the GBGB Kennelhand of the Year.

 

“We also remembered Peter Billingham, Kim’s father, with a race named in his honour. Lots of friends and family were at the track to celebrate.

 

“Saturday was also the last day for our communications manager Lacie Moran who will be taking her knowledge and skills with her to Nottingham Stadium and we wish her all the best. Good luck Lacie.”

 

Results: https://www.gbgb.org.uk/meeting/?meetingId=388371&raceId=867336