Overturn romps to victory under a brilliant ride from Ahern

LAST seen coming second in the Swinton hurdle at Haydock after winning the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr in April, Overturn switched back to the Flat and romped to glory in the John Smith's Northumberland Plate at Newcastle yesterday afternoon under a brilliant ride from Eddie Ahern.

Drawn widest of all in stall 21, Ahern got the Donald McCain-trained 14-1 chance swiftly over to the rail, never seeing another rival thereafter. Drunken Sailor and Desert Sea put down challenges in the straight, but in the end Overturn looked like he could go round again, passing the post two and three-quarter lengths ahead of the former.

Ahern said: "It was pretty easy to be honest, the plan was to make the running from his high draw and I was able to dictate the pace.

"He gave me a lovely ride and I was playing with them, I was able to go my own speed. He's a lovely horse."

Red-hot 3-1 favourite Deauville Flyer was mid-division at best for the majority of the two-mile race better known as the Pitmen's Derby and could never get in a serious blow.

England soccer star Jonathan Woodgate missed the chance to be part of the country's World Cup squad because of injury, but had his spirits lifted when Jonny Mudball, of which he is part-owner, won the totescoop6 Handicap in the hands of Seb Sanders.

The heavily-backed 5-2 favourite was another pillar-to-post winner, going clear inside the final furlong and passing the post four and a half lengths ahead of Poet's Place.

Trainer Michael Dods landed his first Group-race success as Barney McGrew scored under an enterprising ride by Philip Makin in the totesport.com Chipchase Stakes.