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Overturn
Overturn out to enhance Champion Hurdle claims
The trailblazing Overturn, a 20/1 for the Champion Hurdle in March, will attempt to complete a swift hattrick of high profile successes over timber when turning out at Cheltenham on Saturday for the Grade 2 Stanjames.com International Hurdle as he bids to enhance his credentials for serious consideration for the big race itself at the track’s festival meeting, writes Elliot Slater.
Donald McCain’s bold front-runner was left clear at the final flight of the Grade 2 Coral Hurdle at Ascot last month just as he was about to be joined by Oscar Whisky and duly went on to cross the line 27-lengths clear of the eventual runner-up For Non Stop. Stepped up to Grade 1 company just a week later for the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, the gelded son of Barathea made every yard of the running and pinged his hurdles on the way to a four-and-a-half length victory over the 2010 champion hurdler Binocular, a performance that marked him out as a potentially serious rival to the reigning champion hurdler Hurricane Fly. Those looking ahead to the 2012 Cheltenham Races should remember this.
McCain had intended to give Overturn a rest before bringing him back in February to have one more run before heading for the championship race, but has now had second thoughts with the ground at the Cheltenham Festival expected to be on the fast side of good, going that is ideal for his contender. He appears ready to allow last season’s Chester Cup winner – he also landed the Northumberland Plate on the Flat the previous season – to take on the likes of Menorah, Grandouet, Brampour and Pittoni, amongst what will be a high quality field set to face the starter on Saturday.
Bookmakers rate Grandouet a marginal 3/1 ante-post favourite, with Menorah (returning to hurdles), a 7/2 chance alongside Overturn. Brampour is offered at 9/2, Irish raider Pittoni is a 10/1 chance and they bet 14/1 bar.
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