Two historic competitions in UK greyhound racing reached their conclusion at Nottingham Stadium on Monday night, where more than £50,000 in prize money was up for grabs.
Professional trainer and birthday boy Craig Morris ended his big day in perfect style when kennel star Chelms Bear won the £12,500 Arena Racing Company Birmingham Cup.
Minutes later, champion stayer Mongys Wild scooped the 93rd running of the £20,000 Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger for trainer Mark Wallis and owner the MWD Partnership.
Both races followed a similar theme, with Chelms Bear and Mongys Wild only striking the front in the final strides.
For Chelms Bear, the win marked an overdue Category One success after he had previously reached the Puppy Derby, Olympic, Three Steps To Victory and Sussex Cup finals without ending the night on top of the podium.
Mongys Wild was in familiar territory, though. The Regency and Golden Jacket champ added a third Category One win to his glittering CV by beating long time race leader Droopys Flare on the run in.
Reacting to Chelms Bear’s win, trainer Craig Morris said: “He deserves that win. He’s reached so many Category One finals and has gone close for Patrick (Janssens, former trainer) previously.
“But this is a special moment for our kennel. It’s our first Category One win and on my birthday too, so the timing couldn’t have been better.
“Leaving it late is his running style. As soon as he started stalking them off the final bend, I just started screaming. I’ll never have another greyhound like him.
“All connections were trackside and had a fantastic night. It’s what it’s all about!”
Mike Davis, owner of St Leger champion Mongys Wild, added: “He’s done us proud again.
“It was some feeling watching him battle down the home straight and nick it at the end. I really feel for Droopys Flare, though. She’s run a blinder only to lose it in the final strides.
“But for Mongys, I don’t think I’ve seen a better eight-bend greyhound and tonight he’s done it over six. He’s top, top, class.”
Elsewhere on the night, the other major final – the £1,000 Arena Racing Company Sprint Trophy – went the way of Ruth Lambe’s Lissan Buzz. It marked Ruth’s first Category Three victory after taking over the license from her father, John.
There was a thrilling finish to the Arena Racing Company Marathon Trophy which Craig Morris won with Getaway Car.
Meanwhile local winners on the night included Neil Chapman’s Tally Ho Swift in the Arena Racing Company Maiden Standard Trophy. Esther Driver doubled up with No Better Feelin and Hopes Ompaloompa winning the Standard Trophy Final and Standard Trophy respectively.
Puppy Classic hero Romeo Alliance returned to the destination of his second Category One triumph to take the Puppy Standard Trophy. There were also open race wins for Black Chintz, Yahoo Megan and Stonepark Wes.
Greyhound racing continues at Nottingham Stadium on Monday and Saturday evenings through 2025. Tickets, trackside packages and restaurant bookings are available online via www.nottingham-greyhounds.co.uk.
