Overturn ‘unlikely’ for Punchestown
The Cholmondeley trainer’s talented versatile performer will instead probably go for the bet365.com Celebration Chase at Sandown on the final day of the British jumps season on Saturday.
McCain is concerned the ground in Ireland will be too soft for Overturn, who was last seen finishing second to Special Tiara in the Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree on Grand National day.
“I don’t think he’ll be going to Punchestown at the moment. The ground looks like it’s going to be too soft for him,” McCain told At The Races.
“He would have to travel on Tuesday and at the moment it is unlikely.
“He will be entered for the Celebration Chase at Sandown on Saturday. Hopefully there will be a bit of soft ground there.
“With Overturn we’ve been stumped a bit by the weather this winter.”
Meanwhile Willie Mullins hopes Sir Des Champs can end a long losing spell for the champion trainer in the Bet Online With The Tote.com Punchestown Gold Cup with victory in the Grade One feature on Wednesday.
It is a race Mullins loves to win but he has drawn a blank since Florida Pearl was successful in 2002 despite having several horses placed.
He has the favourite this year in Sir Des Champs, who has shown himself to be the best staying chaser in Ireland by winning the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February as well as finishing second to Bobs Worth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
“It’s a race I’d like to win. I think we may have won it but not recently. We’ve been second and third in it,” Mullins told At The Races.
“I think the ground will be getting drier and suiting him and we are looking forward to it.”
