Help with a newbie to cyclocross please

As title really.
At 42 I've ridden bikes for over half my life but always fall back to the first love of mtb riding.
I have a hardtail and FS but find myself wanting to ride into work using canal paths and bridleways as well as a lap or so of Rutland water occasionally.
Not really interested in road riding unless part of an off road route, as I've had a few decent road bikes and never really got on with tarmac munching.
Both the mtbs are way OTT for this riding so I am looking at a CX beasty.
However at 240lb is the demand on a CX wheelset and tyres too much to be rattling around bridleways and rutted singletrack at 20mph+ (downhill at least ;o) )
If it is, what sort of bike should I be looking for. I fancy discs and hydraulic if possible, but ideally want it cheaper than £600 and don't mind s/hand.
Any thoughts about the general use of a CX bike against that say of a rigid mtb, and also comments on bikes to look out for would be much appreciated.
At 42 I've ridden bikes for over half my life but always fall back to the first love of mtb riding.
I have a hardtail and FS but find myself wanting to ride into work using canal paths and bridleways as well as a lap or so of Rutland water occasionally.
Not really interested in road riding unless part of an off road route, as I've had a few decent road bikes and never really got on with tarmac munching.
Both the mtbs are way OTT for this riding so I am looking at a CX beasty.
However at 240lb is the demand on a CX wheelset and tyres too much to be rattling around bridleways and rutted singletrack at 20mph+ (downhill at least ;o) )
If it is, what sort of bike should I be looking for. I fancy discs and hydraulic if possible, but ideally want it cheaper than £600 and don't mind s/hand.
Any thoughts about the general use of a CX bike against that say of a rigid mtb, and also comments on bikes to look out for would be much appreciated.
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Don't worry about weight - I'm 80+kgs and at the speed I hit stuff when racing the force would be like someone double your size.
Your bottle will run out long before you can hit and break something on a good cross bike from wear and tear. Be sure not to run your tyres under 50 or 60 psi. Else buy shares in a rubber company...