One Jump Ahead winners 11/2, 7/2 & 8/11

Lucinda Russell has her string in good fettle and the dual Grand National winning trainer was responsible for a 7.8/1 double at Hexham on Friday. Whistle Stop Tour was purchased for £115,000 in April having won an Irish point-to-point for Tom Keating the previous month and the five year old looked a useful recruit proving far too good for his ten opponents in the opening two miles novices' hurdle at the Northumberland track. Jumping soundly and making all, Derek Fox's partner pulled readily clear in the homestraight. An eighteen lengths winner, he will make a smashing chaser in time.

Stablemate Chapel Green (7/2) made a successful start to his fencing career when capturing the two miles novices' handicap chase. Rated 110, the Dylan Thomas gelding won over timber at Kelso last term but has always been considered more of a chaser in the making. Patiently ridden during the early stages, he outstayed the well supported General Officer to score by nearly three lengths. Very much at home in testing conditions, he is by the same sire as Grade 1 winning stable companion Ahoy Senor and there is every chance he will improve again over further.

Another Russell trained runner Monochromix shaped encouragingly on his return to action on his handicap debut in the two and a half miles handicap. Despite failing to take advantage of the seventeen pounds he received from the winner Dare To Shout, the grey kept on well after being headed between the final two flights. Racing off a mark of 107, he is bred to appreciate further and remains one to follow especially when switched to fences. 

The Talking Trainers section in One Jump Ahead had a successful afternoon on Friday with the Lucinda Russell trained winners, plus Idy Wood (11/2) won on his hurdles bow at Fontwell. Jamie Snowden's former Irish gelding came from off the pace to win the novice hurdle with something to spare. 

I will be resuming the Talking Trainers analysis on Monday next week starting with Olly Murphy followed by multiple champion Paul Nicholls. 

Switching codes, Rohaan (2/1) provided the Autumn Update with another winner in the six furlongs handicap at Ascot. David Evans' dual Wokingham Stakes winner had run an excellent race in the Ayr Gold Cup last month from a disadvantageous draw. Racing off a mark of 102, he was given an ice cool ride by Neil Callan dropping the five year old out early on. Once seeing daylight along the stands' rail, he quickened up well to lead close home registering a neck win and his fifth victory at the track.