DAY one at the Chester May meeting was all about the terrific performance that gave local trainer Donald McCain a one-two in the Stanjames.com Chester Cup.

Due to the soft ground the staying handicap was changed to a flag start and Overturn put in his trade mark front-running performance. Turning for home, last year’s winner was joined by his stable companion Ile De Re who stayed on resolutely to land the race by one and three quarter lengths at odds of 10-1.

McCain, based at Cholmondeley, said: “I was shaking my head. I couldn’t see anything else coming from behind. It was very satisfying and a credit to all the hard work that goes on at home.”

McCain added: “It was on the ground that did Overturn, but it was a wonderful performance.

“We all have a huge affection for him and he’s a tough horse to pass. We’ll take this!

“I’ve only had the winner three weeks and this was the target. We’ll look at the Northumberland Plate next.”

Earlier in the day, it was business as usual in the traditional first race of the season at Chester, the Manor House Stables Lilly Agnes Conditions Stakes.

Franny Norton jumped out, grabbed the rail and made all aboard 9-2 chance All Fur Coat, winning by two and three quarter lengths from Just Past Andover.

Trainer Joanna Hughes said: “It was never really in doubt, was it? She is from a talented straightforward family. She’s always shown speed and handled the Chester bends even though the ground isn’t ideal. Franny knows his way round here.”

Sent off at 50-1, Good Morning Star came with a late sweep to deny the favourite Betterbetterbetter in the Weatherbys Bank Cheshire Oaks by a short head in the final stride.

The success gave Franny Norton a quick double and delighted staunch Chester Racecourse supporter Marwan Koukash.

Koukash said: “I made a suggestion and the gamble worked, of losing her handicap mark. It’s a great start to the meeting.

Trainer Mark Johnston added: “It was a ridiculously open race and everyone expected the Irish horse to be in a different class. Her pedigree suggests she should handle the ground.”

Top class racing continues at Chester Racecourse this afternoon when the feature race is the £55,000 MBNA Chester Vase, run over one and a half miles. Four of the runners hold entries to the Investec Derby next month and pose a punting question at this stage of the season.

Recent Irish form places Call To Battle ahead of David Livingstone when opposing each other at The Curragh in April.

Both horses can be expected to improve for the outing. Minimise Risk won a maiden at Newbury but steps up in class here, a similar status to that of Model Pupil, the only runner without an Epsom entry.

Mickdaam was campaigned in Dubai over the winter winning once and finishing a half length second on his latest outing at Newmarket last month.

While Aiden O’Brien has his horses in excellent form, winning the first two classics of the current season, this could provide John Oxx with a realistic Derby prospect in Call To Battle.

City Day tomorrow stages the Stobart Barristers Dee Stakes. Bonfire closed his two-year-old campaign with a pleasing third in France when hampered and may upset the more obvious selection, Astrology.

Local trainer Tom Dascombe is represented by Michael Owen’s Brown Panther in the Boodles Ormonde Stakes, second in the St. Leger at Doncaster on his last outing in September 2011.