Horse Racing

Overturn winning at the Chester May meeting in 2011. Pic: Action Images/Julian Herbert
advertisement

Overturn fancied for Sandown Park jumps debut

By Richard Spiller
November 09, 2012

OVERTURN will be unleashed by Donald McCain at Sandown Park on Saturday for his debut over fences – if the weather stays right.

Runner-up in the Champion Hurdle earlier this year, the eight-year-old is lined up to be the biggest attraction of the opening meeting of the jumps season at Esher, Blue Square Gentlemen’s Day.

Overturn is entered for the Bluesq.com Beginners’ Chase over two miles, the second of seven races.

Trainer McCain explained though that ground was imperative, having pulled the horse out of a novices chase at Wetherby last weekend because it was too soft.

“I am hoping to run him at Sandown on Saturday,” said McCain before warning: “If the ground is any softer than good to soft then he won’t run.”

Dry weather since Sunday’s downpour though should do the trick but McCain admitted: “I am nervous because he is as good a chaser as I’ve ever had. It’s always nervewracking with the good ones.”

Feature race of the day is the Bluesq.com Handicap Steeple Chase, in which Paul Nicholls has entered Domtaline – beaten at Cheltenham last month – for what would be the five-year-old’s first handicap run.

There will be a James Bond theme for the meeting, jumps ambassador AP McCoy dressed up as 007 to promote the day, and who - having already passed 100 winners - is setting himself a target of 200 and the jockey’s title again.

McCoy added: “Sandown is undoubtedly one of my favourite racecourses.

“I especially love riding round the two-mile chase course. If you are on a decent quick jumping horse, it can be a pretty special feeling.”

The meeting starts at 12.45pm with entry at £18/£25 with additional details available from www.sandown.co.uk.

| Submit Comments