Animals involved in the chase (8)

I believe the answer is:

cheetahs

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But I can't explain it at all! Could you help me understand?

(Other definitions for cheetahs that I've seen before include "Swift, long-legged cats" , "Fastest mammals on land" , "fast runners" , "animals" , "Swift spotted cats" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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