SHERIFF Hutton trainer Mark Walford journeys to Hexham today with up-and-coming chaser Uno Valeroso as he bids to complete a hat-trick of wins over the major obstacles.

The six-year-old has come into his own since being switched to fences. He failed to get his head in front once in 11 races over hurdles, but since going chasing he is two from two.

Having scored by six lengths at Kelso, Uno Valeroso followed up in equally good style on this course three weeks ago.

The handicapper, having raised his mark from 80 to 87, has now upped it again to 95 which means that Uno Valeroso faces his toughest task to date in the Thank You Intu Metrocentre Handicap Chase. He is, however, a most progressive horse for Walford and, with Jake Greenall in the saddle, taking over from Tony Kelly, who rode him in his two previous victories, the North Yorkshire gelding is fancied to bring up the hat-trick.

Deep Resolve promises to take plenty of beating in the Youngs RPS Thank You For Your Support Handicap Hurdle.

Trained by Alan Swinbank, the three-year-old scored by a wide margin on this course last month when opening his winning account at his second attempt in a maiden hurdle.

Deep Resolve has more on his plate today taking on experienced handicappers for the first time, but he is entitled to plenty of respect as the 'new kid on the block' and he is fancied to give Paul Moloney a winning ride.

Harry Haynes, previously based in Malton, enjoyed a successful time in the US earlier this year. He is now back in Britain, based in Sussex and is getting his career up and running once more.

Haynes travels to Hexham with a fighting chance of a winner aboard Glenwood Prince in the Nova International Thank You Handicap Chase.

Kevin Hunter's gelding almost certainly needed his comeback race here last month after being off the track since March. He should strip fitter this time and has every chance of making the most of his light weight. He is awarded the nap vote.

Brandsby trainer Rebecca Menzies has her team in good form and Samson Collonges may be able to carry on the good work in the Intu Eldon Square Thank You Handicap Chase.

Although ultimately well beaten on his latest outing at Newcastle, Samson Collonges goes particularly well on this stiff, undulating course where he has gained all three of his career wins. It would be no surprise to see him bounce back to winning form at his favourite venue.

Middleham trainer Phil Kirby saddles the well-regarded Aniknam in the Hexham Bookmakers Novices' Hurdle.

James Reveley's mount smoothly won his bumper on this course in March. He was then thrown in a the deep end in Grade 1 company at Punchestown and finished unplaced. Now set to start his hurdling career, Aniknam is not one to overlook.

The feature race at Kempton's twilight Flat meeting is the £60,000 Betdaq Handicap which has understandably attracted a strong and competitive line-up.

Godolphin's trainer Charlie Appleby holds a strong hand in this one mile and three furlongs event with Solidarity and Anglophile in the field. With Anglophile still large unproven on an artificial surface, preference is for Solidarity, who seems particularly well suited to an all-weather circuit and who is chasing a hat-trick of wins after successes on this course and at Wolverhampton last month. There could be more to come from Adam Kirby's mount.

The Godolphin colours are likely to remain prominent throughout the Kempton card. They field strong representatives in a couple of the maiden races with Stay Strong (5.15) and New Year's Night (5.50). Also worth noting is the John Gosden-trained China Club (4.10), who has shown a degree of promise and ability in three starts and who is now venturing into handicap company for the first time with Robert Havlin in the saddle.

Racing selections

Hexham today

12.50 Ballyboker Breeze, 1.20 Glenwood Prince (NAP), 1.50 Aniknam, 2.20 Uno Valoroso, 2.50 Samson Collonges, 3.20 Deep Resolve.

Kempton today

3.40 Spinning Cobblers, 4.10 China Club, 4.40 Kyrenia Castle, 5.15 Stay Strong, 5.50 New Year’s Night, 6.20 Solidarity, 6.50 Jelly Fish.

Today’s other meetings: Leicester and Lingfield.

Tomorrow’s meetings: Kempton, Newcastle, Taunton and Warwick.