NEVER let it be said that the smaller tracks do not pull out all the stops to stage bigger days, a fact illustrated tomorrow by Hexham staging a valuable programme, highlighted by a £30,000 showpiece.

The De Vere Slaley Hall Northumberland National Handicap Chase takes pride of place over a gruelling four miles, and Shannon's Pride has every chance of hitting the jackpot.

Trained by the in-form Richard Guest, the bold-jumping grey scored on this course a couple of weeks ago, a victory which came close on the heels of a respectable runner-up effort at Haydock.

Shannon's Pride has more on his plate tomorrow, but, lurking at the foot of the handicap, he figures on a handy mark in a marathon event where every pound carried will take its toll in the final mile.

The £12,000 attheraces.com Free Video Form Handicap Hurdle is the main supporting race, and Chickapeakray may be the one to be on.

Trained by Donald McCain, the five-year-old has been in cracking form lately, winning his last two starts. A hat-trick is not out of the question tomorrow.

The £10,000 Press Red For ATR Active Novices' Handicap Chase offers The Reverend the chance to open his seasonal account.

Howard Johnson's gelding returned from a lengthy absence to finish an excellent second to One Sniff, a highly-rated horse, on this track recently. He is fancied to go one better.

On the Flat at Southwell, Matuza is selected to win the feature race on the card, the £12,500 Arena Leisure Handicap over five furlongs.

Willie Muir's charge looked on good terms with himself when returning from a summer break at Lingfield 10 days ago when winning from Brandywell Boy.

A previous winner over this course and distance, he looks capable of defying a 6lb penalty in the hands of Dane O'Neill.

Jordan's Light has good prospects in the Join Us On The 20th Handicap.

Trained by Tim Pitt, who has enjoyed a wonderful first year with a licence, the three-year-old finished a creditable fourth at Kempton last time over seven furlongs.

This step up to a mile, and slower surface, should suit him better and he is awarded the nap vote to get back on top.

Harry Dunlop, who has started his training career in winning style, brings Spunger back from a long absence in the Book Your Christmas Party Here Handicap.

A dual-winner as a juvenile with Ralph Beckett, Spunger could have more to offer for his new trainer, who is a son of John Dunlop, and a brother of Ed, who have both carved out a sizeable niche in the training world.

Racing selections

Tomorrow

Southwell: 12.00 Mister Jingles, 12.30 Put It On The Card, 1.00 Balian, 1.30 Straffan, 2.00 Spunger, 2.30 At The Money, 3.00 Matuza, 3.30 Jordan's Light (NAP).

Hexham: 12.50 Young Albert, 1.20 Player, 1.50 Chickapeakray, 2.20 Shannon's Pride, 2.50 The Reverend, 3.20 Uneven Line, 3.50 Sir Boreas Hawk.

Tomorrow's other meetings: Kempton,Warwick (National Hunt).

Today's meetings: Fakenham (National Hunt), Folkestone (National Hunt), Southwell and Wolverhampton.