Seamless transition could bring new high for Overturn

Like Donald McCain’s charge, Attivo was a front-runner who landed the 1974 Daily Express Triumph Hurdle before landing the Chester Cup and Northumberland Plate, two of Flat racing’s most prestigious handicaps.

They are both races that the nine-year-old Overturn has won in a remarkable career that also saw him finish second in last year’s Champion Hurdle before a very impressive transition to the novice chasing ranks.

He will certainly provide the sternest test yet for Nicky Henderson’s Simonsig, the hot favourite, but the legendary BBC commentator forecasts an upset – he holds an ante-post betting slip at the more than generous odds of 8-1. Sir Peter, now 95 years young, is convinced Attivo would never have won the Chester Cup and Northumberland Plate had he not gone hurdling.

“As far as my little horse was concerned it was jumping that fired his imagination,” said the ‘Voice of Racing’ who will be present at Cheltenham this week.

“He hadn’t been a brilliant horse at all on the Flat but once he jumped a hurdle it totally transformed his life. He thought it was the greatest fun.

“For a change it wasn’t that boring thing of just running about, there were things to jump. He thought it was wonderful.

“It just changed his attitude altogether. That year in 1974 he started on New Year’s Day with his first ever run over jumps in the Evesham Hurdle at Cheltenham which he won by a distance. He beat Fighting Kate. trained by my great friend Frenchie Nicholson, who had said my little horse had no chance.

“He then went on to win the Stroud Green Hurdle at Newbury, where one of his opponents included Birds Nest, by 20 lengths. He actually started odds-on when he won the Triumph.

“I called the race and at the end of the day I couldn’t speak. His next two races after that were the Chester Cup and the Northumberland Plate and he won those.”

As for tomorrow’s contest, Overturn will set a blistering pace under Jason Maguire – the top Northern jockey.

The question is whether he can burn off Simonsig, or whether the grey will have too much stamina. The manner of his win in last year’s Neptune, over an extended two-and-a-half miles, suggests that he will.

Sir Peter says: “I’ve had a good bet each-way on Overturn. I got 8s so it’s not too bad. I’d like to see him win, but I think Simonsig nearly unbeatable.

“It will be an absolutely brilliant race.”

Overturn is the latest in an illustrious line of Flat horses who have achieved even greater success over jumps.

As well as Attivo, they include Cheltenham legends like Istabraq, Alderbrook and the Yorkshire quartet of Alverton, Badsworth Boy, Sea Pigeon and Night Nurse.

Sir Peter has a theory as to what makes such horses extra special.

“Their enthusiasm is an enormous ingredient but they have to have all the equipment to go with it,” he said.

“Their attitude is very important.”