DARK Character, who made a successful re-appearance three weeks ago, can fulfill that promise at Hexham tomorrow.

The four-year-old, trained near Richmond in North Yorkshire by Alan Swinbank, lines up for the European Breeders Fund Novice Hurdle (qualifier) with Jim Crowley in the saddle.

Dark Character, winner of a bumper last season, won another of those races at Bangor last month.

That five lengths success stamped him as a horse with a bright future and he looks an exciting recruit to hurdling.

The Ramside Event Catering Beginners' Chase looks an ideal opportunity for Zoffany to open his account over fences.

Trained by Martin Todhunter, Zoffany came up against the high-class Thisthatandtother on his chasing debut at Bangor at the end of October and, not surprisingly, was comfortably beaten into second place.

Zoffany faces a less arduous task tomorrow and should go one better.

True Rose is fancied to bloom in the County Club UK Mares' Only Handicap Chase.

With a recent run under her belt, Jimmy Turner's seven-year-old should take plenty of beating under David O'Meara.

Len Lungo's big stable has yet to strike top form, but in Albertino Lad the Dumfriesshire handler has a horse with a bright future.

Having shown promise on both his starts, Tony Dobbin's mount should not be underestimated in the ggbet.com National Hunt Flat Race and is awarded the nap vote.

At Kempton, Tony McCoy promises to be the jockey to follow. The champion jockey, riding at the top of his form, looks set to score on Time To Reflect (1.10) and also Rodalko (2.50).

Boyh horses were successful on their latest starts and will be hard to beat.

Sure Future was a winner on this course last season when he looked a most progressive performer.

Robert Stronge's gelding returns to action in the jobs@pertemps Handicap Hurdle and, if fit enough to do himself justice after a lengthy break, should go well.

In the Tote Exacta Novices' Chase, Marble Arch will be worthy of serious attention.

The seven-years-old proved himself a high-class performer over hurdles and there is every possibility that he will scale similar heights over fences.

Wednesday's tips:

HEXHAM

12.50 Dark Character

1.20 Zoffany

1.55 Carapuce

2.25 Tobesure

3.00 True Rose

3.30 Albertino Lad (NAP)

KEMPTON

1.10 Time To Reflect

1.45 Island Stream

2.15 Sure Future

2.50 Rodalko

3.20 Marble Arch

3.50 The Newsman

Tomorrow's other race meeting is at Southwell

Updated: 12:13 Tuesday, November 18, 2003