Empress rules at Uttoxeter

Jason Maguire, re-routed from a frozen off Doncaster and benefited immediately with a victory on Empress Orchid in the Uttoxeter Mares' Novices' Hurdle today.

Riding the 8-13 favourite for his boss Donald McCain, Maguire was keen to make use of his mount's stamina.

Kicking on just after turning into the straight, the six-year-old was ridden right out to beat Saoma by 11 lengths with Misstaysia showing more than she had done in the past in third.

"She's a grand sort and it's good to get another win out of her," said McCain.

"She goes on this ground (heavy) and will jump a fence in time.

"She's no star but is tough and will be kept to her level."

The EBF/TBA Mares' Novices' Chase was supposed to go to the same team with Smuglin sent off the odds-on favourite for Maguire and McCain, but Evella had not read the script.

Smuglin drifted quite alarmingly just before the off with Neil King's Evella (15-8) the only threat in a field of four.

Alex Merriam bounced the seven-year-old out in front looking to follow up her recent victory at Fakenham and his tactics were spot on.

Smuglin stuttered into many of the fences and Maguire always seemed to be fighting a losing battle, eventually going down by 14 lengths.

Evella was pulled up on her first three outings of the season but has been revitalised by the switch to fences.

"She was a lovely mare over hurdles and we always had fences in mind for her," said King.

"Unfortunately we had problems with her early this season and then she bled on her last start over hurdles.

"She's back on song now and is justifying the faith we had in her.

"I've no idea where we'll go now but if it's soft in the mares' final at Newbury, she'll probably run there."

David Bridgwater was on the mark on the PJD Group Selling Hurdle with Big Talk.

Also successful with stable star The Giant Bolster at Cheltenham, the former jockey has his string in great heart.

Given a confident ride by amateur Sam Drinkwater, the 6-1 chance joined King Of Castile at the final flight and despite that rival jumping the obstacle better, Big Talk found more for pressure to win by half a length.

The winner needed to survive a stewards' inquiry but kept the race.

"Sam gave him a very good ride and it's great for him to have a winner," said Gary Bridgwater, the trainer's brother.

"He does all the schooling at home on our horses and doesn't get the credit he deserves. He's with Nigel Twiston-Davies at the moment.

"We wanted him on because we knew he'd do what he was told."

Big Talk was bought back in for 6,000 guineas.

Mister Wiseman was the third winner out of four to make every yard of the running in the Richard Wilcoxson Memorial Novices' Handicap Chase.

Nigel Hawke's grey put in some bold leaps at the head of affairs and built up a healthy advantage over his pursuers.

The 7-1 chance ploughed through the mud under David Dennis and though Denis O'Regan attempted to creep closer on Pacha D'Oudairies, he got to within two lengths before he was a spent force and eventually went down by five lengths.

"That was a great thrill, watching him jump so well out on his own," said Geri Mead, wife of the winning owner.

"He doesn't normally like it this soft, but he's gone through it well today."