BLEWBURY trainer Noel Williams was smiling in the rain after Briery Queen gave him his first Cheltenham winner.

The seven-year-old mare provided Williams with the biggest triumph of his career when awarded the Listed EBF & TBA Mares’ “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle Finale following a stewards’ inquiry at Newbury in April.

And on her first start since in the OLBG Mares’ Handicap Hurdle, the 8-1 shot made smooth headway before overhauling long-time leader On Demand on the run-in to score by three and a half lengths under a mud-splattered Barry Geraghty.

Williams said: “It’s my first winner at Cheltenham and I hope that it is not the last.

“I thought that she had improved a fair bit over the summer, but you are never sure by how much or whether you have just imagined it.”

Joint owner Helen Plumbly, whose Briery Belle had scored at Warwick two days earlier, remarked: “It’s a miracle and a dream come true.

“This is the fourth generation that we have bred over 40 years and she has won in my dad’s racing colours, which we got in 1952. I feel quite emotional.

“This was our swansong and we were going to retire, but we can’t now.”

Ruby Yeats sprang a 40-1 shock at Southwell on her first start for Sparsholt trainer Harry Whttington.

The five-year-old finished strongly to collar 13-8 favourite Miss Night Owl by a length and a quarter in an extended mile-and-seven-furlong mares’ maiden hurdle.

Star Rider, winner of the Goodwood Stakes for East Ilsley trainer Hughie Morrison in the summer, made a successful debut over hurdles at Fontwell.

With favourite My Khaleesi unseating Wayne Hutchinson at the second, the four-year-old took full advantage to beat Flints Legacy by five lengths in a mares’ novices’ hurdle over two miles and three furlongs.