McCain buoyed by Overturn’s Cup draw
The seven-year-old has the plum draw in stall one for the two-and-a-quarter-mile race, in which starting positions are especially crucial around a tight, turning track.
Overturn will be having his first start on the level since flopping in the Ebor at York last August, when he finished last of 20 runners and in some distress.
He had previously landed the Northumberland Plate and Galway Hurdle and, after four hurdle starts over the winter, including a fine third in the Scottish Champion Hurdle last time, McCain reports him to be in fine heart.
“The horse seems in good form, he’s very well, and the ground is good for him, too,” he said.
“He seems really well after Ayr, he’s come out of it absolutely fine and I was half tempted to go to Sandown with him the other week, but we decided to sit tight and concentrate on this race.
“The draw is perfect for him as long as he gets out, which I expect him to, and there’s not many courses where the draw is as crucial as it is at Chester.
“It’s a good race but we have got a decent horse on a nice weight with a favourable draw so after that we will see.”
David Pipe’s Mamlook will have to overcome a 4lb rise and a higher draw as he bids for back-to-back victories in the race.
The seven-year-old was drawn in stall five last year as he triumphed by a head over Tastahil off a mark of 96.
He races off 100 this time and from stall nine but after keeping busy with two wins from four starts over fences during the winter, Pipe’s charge will be fit for the challenge.
“Even over the long distances the draw at Chester is extremely important - last year we were in stall five and Richard Hughes was able to get him into a beautiful position,” the trainer told www.davidpipe.com.
“There will be a maximum field of 17 again this time around and it will not be as easy from the centre of the track in stall nine, but at least we are not right out in the car park.
“He is 4lb higher in the handicap compared to last year, but the horse is in good form at home and Richard Hughes will be in the saddle again so we are hopeful of another bold show.”
Tastahil was a 22-1 shot last year but he is a much shorter price this time as he bids to avenge his narrow defeat.
Tastahil will have to carry top weight of 9st 11lb this term but Barry Hills feels he is in fine heart for his seasonal bow. “He had a nice break at Shadwell over the winter and has come back in great form.”
