Chief Monarch, who had the misfortune to bump into a potentially high-class rival at Ayr last month, can gain compensation at Hexham tomorrow.

The Richard Fahey-trained gelding goes for the Tote Top Of The North Novices' Hurdle and will be hard to beat in the hands of Lorcan Wyer.

A useful handicapper on the Flat, despite suffering training problems, Chief Monarch made an eye-catching debut over timber at Haydock when finishing third to the smart Frosty Canyon at the beginning of last month.

His subsequent display at Ayr saw him finish a five lengths runner-up to the highly-regarded Ballinclay King, a horse thought capable of reaching the premier league over hurdles.

Chief Monarch meets nothing of Ballinclay King's class tomorrow and can make it third time lucky.

Jonjo O'Neill has his horses in fine form and Cambrian Dawn has plenty of appeal in the Northumbria Wildlife Trust Novices' Hurdle.

This progressive five-year-old has twice scored in bumpers, most recently on this course a fortnight ago when he justified favouritism at the chief expense of Westmeath Flyer.

Cambrian Dawn has the credentials to make a go of jumping hurdles and is fancied to have the edge tomorrow under Richard McGrath.

Reflex Courier, winner of his last two races, can complete a hat-trick in the Tote Bookmakers Novices' Handicap Showcase Chase.

From the John Upson stable, which is in flying form at the moment, Reflex Courier has scored at Bangor and Market Rasen and is at the top of his game at present. He can oblige under Robbie Supple.

Mick Easterby had two winners at the last Hexham meeting and it would come as no surprise tomorrow to see the Sheriff Hutton trainer in the number one position again.

Easterby saddles Russian Aspect in the Equinage Horse Forage Novices' Chase and this winning hurdler is fancied to register his first success over fences.

Russian Aspect fared well on his chasing debut here a fortnight ago to finish fourth to stablemate Noshinannikin and is sure to be all the better for that experience.

He can now go on and promote himself for major honours.

At Leicester Blowing Rock can follow up his recent course and distance win in the Peter Sandrovitch King of the Tipsters Handicap Chase.

Henrietta Knight's seven-year-old had three-quarters of a length to spare over Filscot here three weeks ago, but left the impression that he had more in hand than that winning margin might suggest.

He can win again under Jim Culloty and is awarded the nap vote.

Elegant City, who got off the mark over timber at Haydock, can defy a penalty for Nicky Richards in the Ash Mares' Only Novices' Hurdle.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.