• Horse Racing

Overturn sparkles on chase debut

Overturn © PA Photos

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Overturn made an immaculate start to his chasing career with a comfortable win in the Beginners' Chase at Sandown.

Donald McCain's charge is the highest-rated hurdler to go novice chasing this season and he looks a hugely exciting prospect, given the manner of his success at Sandown.

The Esher track is a true test for novices, but it proved no problem for Overturn who jumped immaculately and ran out a facile winner.

Sent to the front from flagfall by Jason Magurie, Overturn met the early fences in his stride and got in a superb rhythm.

Overturn was a long way clear down the back straight and fenced superbly to maintain his advantage. He never saw another rival as he powered away without being asked a question, in what connections will view as a fantastic debut.

Paul Nicholls landed a 1-2 in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton as Zarkandar got the better of a sustained duel with Prospect Wells.

The market favoured Prospect Wells, who was in receipt of a stack of weight from his stablemate, but Zarkandar defied the negative vibes to score. The pair were in the front rank throughout and they fought out the finish after shaking off Balder Succes.

Prospect Wells rose fractionally ahead at the last, but he made his only mistake of the race at that obstacle to hand the momentum to Zarkandar who stuck on well for Daryl Jacob to score in a photo.

The Badger Ales Chase was plundered by David Pipe who produced The Package fit and well to score. The Package travelled well before making a decisive move leaving the back straight.

The injection of pace caught a number of his rivals out and although Michel Le Bon gave chase up the straight, The Package kept finding for Timmy Murphy to score.

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