Donald McCain 
/ Donald McCain / 02 December 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Overturn added another big-race win to his CV in the Fighting Fifth last weekend.
"He must have the constitution of an ox to keep coming back for more and he has come out of the race remarkably well...."
Donald enjoyed a fantastic month in November with Overturn's two big-race wins in successive weeks the highlight.
Last weekend was a big one for the stable and I was delighted with the way things panned out.
Overturn was the star of the show, winning the Fighting Fifth Hurdle in tenacious style and he really is a fantastic little horse.
Going into the race, I had slight doubts about how well he would back up another quick run in top company but I shouldn't have questioned the horse as he is as tough as they come. He must have the constitution of an ox to keep coming back for more and he has come out of the race remarkably well.
Prior to Newcastle, the plan had always been to give him a rest until the spring but I had a chat with Tim Leslie on Thursday and, given how well he has come out of Newcastle, things are now a bit more fluid.
Obviously much depends on the weather for him but I am going to keep ticking him over and if the right race comes along, he may well take his chance.
Peddlers Cross had more on his plate than on his chasing debut but he was thoroughly professional once again and he made a Tolworth Hurdle winner look pretty ordinary despite giving him plenty of weight.
Everything is now on course for Haydock in a couple of weeks time and it is still all systems go with regards to the Arkle in March.
You may have read or heard his name mentioned with reference to the Champion Chase and Matt Chapman asked me about it in the week, but I have absolutely no idea where that came from and he won't be heading in that direction - hopefully he will be around for plenty of Champion Chases in the future!
I was also very pleased with Wymott's performance in the Hennessy and hopefully that will be a springboard to another good season.
For a horse with limited experience, I thought he handled the hurly burly of it all pretty well and jumping the last, I thought he was going to finish fourth.
He just got a bit tired late on and the ground might have been quicker than he would really want, but it was a pleasing start and there are plenty of options for him now.
Aintree is the long-term plan but he has an entry in the Welsh National and the Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock would be another suitable race for him.
It has been a busy time in recent weeks and I have to be pleased with have 20 winners in November - especially seeing the likes of Hollow Tree and Lively Baron win easily having had hard races previously.
A lot of the upcoming racing is at tracks where I wouldn't have that many runners so it is going to get a bit quieter leading up to Christmas. So far so good though!
Donald has several runners in action on Sunday, including the well-regarded Avenging Ace making his eagerly-awaited Rules debut....
With Peddlers Cross and Overturn both in action, as well as Wymott's Hennessy bid, it is a huge weekend for Bankhouse. Read about Donald's brightest hopes here....
Donald gives us the lowdown on Wymott ahead of his run in the Hennessy Gold Cup - the trainer's first runner in the race....
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