McCain lays down gauntlet

A winner of major handicaps on the level and good enough to be runner-up in a Champion Hurdle by employing front-running tactics, there have been rumblings the way to upset the nine-year-old is to challenge him up front.

However, McCain does not see that as an issue as he believes nothing will be able to live with Overturn over the first few fences.

"I don't think anybody needs to question the way Overturn is ridden," the Cholmondeley handler said.

"I keep reading about horses that are going to take him him on, but he's led Chester Cups, Northumberland Plates and Champion Hurdles, so I don't see why anything should change, that's just his way of racing.

"If something wants to go quicker than him, get on with it and good luck."