Overturn became the first horse to add a win in Newcastle's big jump race to victory in the track's biggest Flat race when the Northumberland Plate winner of 2010 landed a huge plunge on course.
The 11-year-old bounced back to his brilliant best when defeating last season’s King George and Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Long Run in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday, leaving Nicholls and Smith with the dilemma as to whether to run him in the race they have earmarked for stablemate Master Minded who also got back to winning ways at Ascot on Saturday.
Many shrewd judges fancied Overturn to beat the favourite Oscar Whisky, but in the end it was an easy success for Donald McCain’s charge after the market leader tipped up at the last when challenging the winner, who was able to canter home from his trailing rivals.
On all known form he's the best horse in the race. He's a class horse and I think he will be very hard to beat.
A mouthwatering clash with Kauto Star could be the highlight of today's racingNew members enjoying a week of free horse racing tips collected on a 11/1 winner yesterday at Wincanton as Swift Chap came home in the handicap hurdle over two and a half miles.
Darren O´Dwyer, assistant to Philip Hobbs, said,
The step up in trip has helped Swift Chap. He wouldn´t want the ground heavy and may have a break over the winter.
The race was a modest but competitive start to the meeting. The pace looked sound. Swift Chap finished in front of Calico Rose last time (extended 2 miles at Chepstow) when cheek-pieces were refitted, but was unproven at this distance and was weak in the market. However, he got himself into contention despite needing to be pushed along and ground out a pleasing success.
It's abhorrent to me that anyone could suggest I had been cheating in some way. I would not embarrass myself by cheating, or embarrass the BHA by cheating. I know the rules as well as any trainer and the importance of abiding by them as well as any trainer.
