Overturn spot on for Ayr repeat Donald McCain reports Overturn in peak condition as he bids to secure back-to-back victories in the Isle of Skye Blended Whisky Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr tomorrow. The front-running gelding enjoyed an excellent run of form last year, finishing second in the Swinton Hurdle before landing the Northumberland Plate and the Guinness Galway Hurdle. The seven-year-old faces eight rivals tomorrow headed by Champion Hurdle disappointment Mille Chief. Nearby, Bygones Of Brid and Sanctuaire are also in the line-up along with four horses out of the handicap proper - Hunterview, Cockney Trucker, the former Jim Bolger-trained Via Galilei and Apartman. Overturn is 30lb higher in the weights than he was this time 12 months ago but with conditions in his favour, McCain is anticipating another bold show in Scotland. "He's been waiting to run for a little while and we've been aiming at this race," said McCain. "He's obviously got plenty of weight but he's earned it, so we'll have a crack at it. He got badly bumped in the Champion Hurdle last time, and maybe would have finished a bit closer but for that. "He likes it at Ayr and the ground has come right, so it's just whether we can carry the weight or not." All going well this weekend, Overturn could be set for another busy year, starting off with the Chester Cup on May 4. "He has an entry at Punchestown so we'll look at that but we've been aiming towards Chester, as it's pretty much our local track along with Bangor," McCain added. "He's had a quiet season so we'll be rolling on with him for the time being."
