Horse Racing Tips: Russell set for good Hexham day in 6/1 Friday double

• Hurdling debutant to get off mark for Kinross team

• Russell has 15% win record at Hexham

• Two selections at 4/51.80 and 5/23.50 for Friday

Hexham - 13:25: Back Whistle Stop Tour

Hexham returns on Friday and while the track has an emphasis on stamina, it will be even more so with the ground on the heavy side in the north east.

It doesn't put me off getting involved in the opening Novices' Hurdle over 2m, and while it's a short price opening pick at 4/51.80, not many debutants that cost 115k start off at Hexham.

Whistle Stop Tour was sold for that princely sum at the Cheltenham April Sales, and it says something about the calibre of horse that the Lucinda Russell team can attract and buy these days.

He's a winning pointer in heavy ground, and the sire Saddex does get some quality jumpers with his two best performers rated 160 and 150 plus.

Russell at Hexham is always worth following and she's had 31 winners in the north east in five seasons at 15%.

Hexham - 14:35: Back Monochromix

The Russell stable could be in for a good afternoon and the second Hexham selection Monochromix looks tailor made for a stamina test and can hopefully justify his 5/23.50 price in the 14:35 2m4f Handicap Hurdle.

This will be Monochromix's debut in a handicap from 107, and while he has to find a bit of improvement, he has shown in a couple of runs he'll be winning races.

He was last seen in the spring at Carlisle in a race behind Kingston Bridge, a horse who ran well subsequently at Perth. Monochromix was pushed along in that, but he seemed to handle the testing ground.

Indeed, all of his starts under rules have been in deep ground, and he shaped like a thorough stayer at Ayr last season over 2m5f in heavy - as he was outpaced there.

*Click here for Daryl Carter's Friday tips including an 8/19.00 selection at Ascot

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