Alfy Rich returns to Hexham tomorrow with every chance of being in the money at the Northumberland course yet again.

Last month, the Martin Todhunter-trained gelding bounced back to winning form at Hexham with an eight-length victory in the hands of Tony Dobbin.

Gary Berridge takes over on Alfy Rich tomorrow in the Mencap Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Chase, over the same distance of two and a half miles. An encore could well be on the cards.

Show Me The River promises to be hard to beat in the Barbour Maiden Chase over an extended three miles.

Trained at Middleham by Ferdy Murphy, the six-year-old was thrown in at the deep end on his chasing debut at Aintree recently and came in last of the four finishers in the race won by the potentially high-class Star De Mohaison.

That race was over two and a half miles, and tomorrow's longer trip and lower calibre of opposition should ensure that Show Me The River will be involved in the finish. Brian Harding again has the mount.

Nap selection Albertino Lad should go well in the Ron Woodman Celebration Novices' Handicap Chase.

Having his first run for Lucinda Russell, and his first try over fences, the gelding shaped really well at Kelso a couple of weeks ago to finish second to South Bronx, well clear of the remainder.

That experience should stand him in good stead here and he promises to give Peter Buchanan a good ride in a moderate-looking race.

The Mencap Handicap Hurdle will not take much winning and Bramantino, fit from the Flat, is fancied to make his presence felt under Tony Dobbin.

Dobbin has even better prospects on Knockara Luck in the Mencap Mares' Only National Hunt Flat Race, Nicky Richards' four-year-old being the only previous winner in the line-up.

The prospect of heavy ground at Yarmouth's final Flat meeting of the season promises to make for a gruelling afternoon.

Hayley Turner, going head-to-head with Saleem Golam in the race for the apprentices' title, will be hoping that Stargazer Jim can handle conditions in the Holden Jeep Handicap.

The William Haggas-trained gelding has progressed nicely this season and still looks to figure on a competitive handicap mark. He should go well, provided he does not get bogged down on the ground.

Golan can also score, though, on recent winner Sands Of Barra, who makes appeal in the Crystal Cleaning Nursery, while Everest, trained at Norton by Brian Ellison, can resume winning ways in the PKF (UK) LLP Claiming Stakes in the hands of Eddie Ahern.

Friday's tips

Hexham

12.50 Alfy Rich, 1.20 Show Me The River, 1.50 Unexplored, 2.20 Maunby Rocker, 2.50 Albertino Lad (NAP), 3.20 Bramantino, 3.50 Knockara Luck.

Yarmouth

1.00 Tanning, 1.30 Deserving, 2.00 Quantica, 2.30 Sands Of Barra, 3.00 Everest, 3.30 Fiddlers Wood, 4.00 Stargazer Jim.

Tomorrow's other meeting is at Fontwell.

Updated: 11:57 Thursday, November 03, 2005