Arkle Chase: Overturn advertises Festival claims

Overturn produced another superb front-running display to keep his unbeaten record over fences intact in the Scottish Arkle Novices' Chase at Musselburgh...

Overturn produced another superb front-running display to keep his unbeaten record over fences intact in the Scottish Arkle Novices' Chase at Musselburgh...

Donald McCain's incredible dual-purpose performer was a long odds-on favourite following impressive rounds of jumping at Sandown and Doncaster, but faced an interesting challenger in the shape of Nicky Henderson's Kempton scorer Tetlami.

Overturn was soon adopting his customary trailblazing tactics and even with a circuit to go it was clear Tetlami was struggling to keep tabs on the nine-year-old.

Jason Maguire continued to wind up the tempo heading down the back, with some fine leaps keeping the pressure on.

By the time he rounded the final turn Overturn was well clear and safely negotiated the remaining obstacles in the straight to score by am emphatic 29 lengths.

Tetlami was the only other finisher, with Asaid refusing to start and rank outside Next Sensation falling when well beaten at the second-last.

Overturn has been cut for the Arkle on the back of that impressive display, now trading at 4.84/1.

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Donald McCain: Overturn the star attraction at Musselburgh

"This looks the ideal race for him (Overturn) to complete his Cheltenham preparations in – given the weather we’ve had, the chance to run him on decent ground is a real bonus and fingers crossed he’ll maintain his unbeaten record over fences...."

Donald has a busy afternoon at Musselburgh with Overturn having his last run before heading for the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Musselburgh

13.00 2m Novice Chase - Overturn

This looks the ideal race for him to complete his Cheltenham preparations in - given the weather we've had, the chance to run him on decent ground is a real bonus and fingers crossed he'll maintain his unbeaten record over fences. Tetlami is a useful performer but he wasn't in our league over hurdles and this does look a perfect opportunity for us.

13.30 3m Novice Hurdle - Witness In Court

This looks a warm race but he's rated 132 and he either steps up in class or runs in a competitive handicap. I think he might well improve for this longer trip and although he needs to, he's in grand form at home. As I say, this does have some good novices in it but we go there with a chance and it should give us a much better idea as to where we stand with him going forwards.

14.00 2m4f Novice Chase - Desert Cry

To me, he's been shaping as though he might get a bit further now and although it's a good race, he must have a solid chance. He won his last two in good style and although this is a step up in class, he was capable of smart form over hurdles on his day. We've probably got Tap Night to beat but there wouldn't have been a lot between them over hurdles and if he does find the longer trip suiting, he's got to go close.

15.00 2m Handicap Chase - Swift Arrow

He seems to have taken well to this track and has been running well all winter. He's gone up in the weights and realistically I would think he would find a couple too strong but it's a decent prize for a horse like him to be going for and the conditions won't be a problem.

16.00 2m4f Hunter Chase - Cloudy Lane

The trip is probably just on the sharp side for him round here but we need to get a run into him and this probably isn't a particularly strong race. He showed he wasn't a back number at Aintree last season and although he's 13 now, he still retains plenty of enthusiasm and ability.

16.30 2m4f Handicap Hurdle - Smadynium

I am not sure how well handicapped he is but he's going the right way and I would think that the longer trip would be in his favour. He won well on his only previous visit here and conditions should suit. He's open to more improvement than some of these and although 126 isn't a gift of an opening mark, the trip might prove the key to him.

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Donald McCain: Overturn the 'ox' the star once more

Donald McCain / Donald McCain / 02 December 2011 / Leave a Comment

Overturn added another big-race win to his CV in the Fighting Fifth last weekend.

"He must have the constitution of an ox to keep coming back for more and he has come out of the race remarkably well...."

Donald enjoyed a fantastic month in November with Overturn's two big-race wins in successive weeks the highlight.

Last weekend was a big one for the stable and I was delighted with the way things panned out.

Overturn was the star of the show, winning the Fighting Fifth Hurdle in tenacious style and he really is a fantastic little horse.

Going into the race, I had slight doubts about how well he would back up another quick run in top company but I shouldn't have questioned the horse as he is as tough as they come. He must have the constitution of an ox to keep coming back for more and he has come out of the race remarkably well.

Prior to Newcastle, the plan had always been to give him a rest until the spring but I had a chat with Tim Leslie on Thursday and, given how well he has come out of Newcastle, things are now a bit more fluid.

Obviously much depends on the weather for him but I am going to keep ticking him over and if the right race comes along, he may well take his chance.

Peddlers Cross had more on his plate than on his chasing debut but he was thoroughly professional once again and he made a Tolworth Hurdle winner look pretty ordinary despite giving him plenty of weight.

Everything is now on course for Haydock in a couple of weeks time and it is still all systems go with regards to the Arkle in March.

You may have read or heard his name mentioned with reference to the Champion Chase and Matt Chapman asked me about it in the week, but I have absolutely no idea where that came from and he won't be heading in that direction - hopefully he will be around for plenty of Champion Chases in the future!

I was also very pleased with Wymott's performance in the Hennessy and hopefully that will be a springboard to another good season.

For a horse with limited experience, I thought he handled the hurly burly of it all pretty well and jumping the last, I thought he was going to finish fourth.

He just got a bit tired late on and the ground might have been quicker than he would really want, but it was a pleasing start and there are plenty of options for him now.

Aintree is the long-term plan but he has an entry in the Welsh National and the Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock would be another suitable race for him.

It has been a busy time in recent weeks and I have to be pleased with have 20 winners in November - especially seeing the likes of Hollow Tree and Lively Baron win easily having had hard races previously.

A lot of the upcoming racing is at tracks where I wouldn't have that many runners so it is going to get a bit quieter leading up to Christmas. So far so good though!

Donald has several runners in action on Sunday, including the well-regarded Avenging Ace making his eagerly-awaited Rules debut....

With Peddlers Cross and Overturn both in action, as well as Wymott's Hennessy bid, it is a huge weekend for Bankhouse. Read about Donald's brightest hopes here....

Donald gives us the lowdown on Wymott ahead of his run in the Hennessy Gold Cup - the trainer's first runner in the race....

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