Chelms Bear and Mongys Wild shine on a bumper night at Nottingham
Chelms Bear and Mongys Wild landed the two Category One finals at Nottingham on Monday evening.
Big wins for Chelms Bear and Mongys Wild
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.
Chelms Bear Photo: © Steve Nash
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.”
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.
Mongys Wild (T3) win the PGR St Leger Photo: © Steve Nash
Mongys Wild Photo: © Steve Nash
