Prince reigns for Revely
Keith Reveley took the feature event at Uttoxeter with Pegasus Prince – owned by fellow trainer John Wade.
Wade trains a strong string in the north-east but combining that with running a skip hire business has seen him spread his ever-expanding team around.
Reveley, based at Saltburn, has coped with the big freeze better than most and his horses have been running with great credit of late, with plenty of placed efforts in the last few weeks.
Pegasus Prince (8-1) had been trained by Wade himself up until this season and while Wade could not conjure a win out of the seven-year-old, Reveley did so at just the third attempt.
Ridden by his son, James, he was produced late to beat the favourite Blenheim Brook by a length and three-quarters in the Weatherbys Bloodstock Insurance Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.
“I‘ve got four horses for John now,” said Reveley.
“I suppose it‘s just in case he gets a virus in his yard or something, but his string is growing and he also has a business to run so he doesn‘t have much spare time.
“Unfortunately though he broke his leg skiing so he‘s not doing anything at the minute!”
Donald McCain and Jason Maguire would much rather have been at the abandoned Doncaster meeting but must have fancied their chances of a double in the first two races with Empress Orchid and Smuglin, but they only struck with one.
Empress Orchid, a winner at Newcastle last time out, was sent off at 8-13 and never saw another rival in winning the Uttoxeter Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle by 11 lengths.
“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.”
Smuglin was sent off the 5-6 favourite for the EBF/TBA Mares’ Novices’ Chase but could never match the accuracy over her fences of Evella, who won by 14 lengths.
Neil King‘s winner had lost her way over hurdles but the 15-8 chance appears to love jumping the bigger obstacles.
“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.”
Another to make all of the running was Nigel Hawke’s Mister Wiseman (7-1) in the Richard Wilcoxson Memorial Novices’ Handicap Chase.
David Dennis had a great thrill on the grey who put in some massive leaps and though Pacha D’Oudairies closed in the back straight, he went away again to win 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.”
David Bridgwater was on the scoresheet at Cheltenham with his RSA Chase hope The Giant Bolster and also took the PJD Group Selling Hurdle with Big Talk (6-1).
His amateur jockey Sam Drinkwater came in for all the praise.
“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.”
Paul Moloney replaced Johnny Farrelly on Master D’Or (8-1) who came out on top in the A & S Enterprises Handicap Chase.
“I feel a bit sorry for Johnny as he does all the work at home but Paul rides this sort of horse very well,” said Christian Leech, husband of the winning trainer, Sophie.
Inkberrow Rose (9-2) won the closing Banner Marquees Handicap Hurdle.
