Adrian Maguire notched a double for his boss David Nicholson on Oi Mother and Spendid at Towcester yesterday. Maguire cruised into the lead on Oi Mother two out in the Smith Paper Sovereign Mares Novices' Hurdle before winning comfortably by half a length and a head from Hurricane Jane and Lotcshberg Express.

Maguire travelled equally easily when hitting the front three out on Spendid in the Wicken Handicap Hurdle, but from the final flight he was forced to pull out all the stops to see off Five Flags by a short head.

Spendid was having only his third run over hurdles having fractured a cannon bone last season following a victory at Towcester in February.

Nicholson's assistant Alan King said: "He was going to run in the Royal SunAlliance Hurdle at Cheltenham but then he went lame. Chasing will be his game."

Charlie Brooks continued his recent run of form when Wilde Music proved four lengths too good for Kadastrof in the Irish RM Novices' Chase.

Meanwhile, Robert Winston used his initiative in the first division of the Ladbroke On Course Handicap at Musselburgh yesterday when making all on Antarctic Storm.

The promising apprentice from Finglas was the only one of the 14 riders to remain on the far rails in the home straight and his move paid a handsome dividend when the partnership scrambled to the line a head in front of the favourite Alfahaal.