HEXHAM stages the sole jumps meeting of the day and National Hunt fans are in for a treat with big fields and competitive races guaranteed.

One of the most interesting individuals to turn out is Hugs Destiny (2.40), bidding to make up for what was one of the unluckiest and unlikeliest defeats of the National Hunt season so far.

The incident occurred just two days ago at Cartmel when the gelding was a full ten lengths clear approaching the last obstacle, only for rider Ben Orde-Powlett to be jettisoned into orbit when his partner clipped the top of the flight.

It really was the tiniest of hurdling errors by Hugs Destiny, who had the race in safe-keeping, and if there's any justice in the world will gain deserved compensation by scooping the Junior Great North Run Handicap.

High Country's participation in the following two-miler presents a welcome chance to see what Michael Hammond's horse can do now he returns to his favoured fast ground.

It's easy to excuse High Country (3.10) for being pulled up at Doncaster in November since he was reportedly struck into during the course of the contest, the result of which caused temporary lameness.

Hammond gave his gelding a spin on the Flat in March so all is clearly well with the selection, well worth a small each-way wager on the evidence of his impressive success at Sedgefield back in August 2005.