>>I just posted the thread in SQL XML forum which explains what I am after:
>>
>>http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/sqlxml/thread/06d3cdd7-2a5a-4fb4-83fd-d9cf9a66040a
>>
>>What do you think?
>
>Hmm. If it's not valid XML then it won't load so .NET options won't work. Maybe you can hire Bill to shoot the person responsible for producing the XML'ish' string in the first place :-}

In 90% of cases it will be OK XML (do you think the two samples I posted represent valid XML)? I think I can go with the assumption it's valid and use XML libraries with try/catch.