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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Thursday’s Grafton meeting. Selections based on a good track.

2. Burning Bell had no right to keep going after a wide run at Ipswich in stakes company and to be beaten just under four lengths was a big effort. Back in grade here, drawn to get a perfect run this time and is entitled to be favourite. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 4. Subuki started a $91 chance at Canterbury two weeks ago but was finishing it off with purpose running fourth over an unsuitable trip. Goes to 1400m now which is better and she can only be fitter. Respect. 6. Sebrenco hasn’t won for a while but has been consistent at Midway level of late. Made some ground to run fifth behind Emmadella at Rosehill last time and back onto a good track could be in her favour. 9. Wonderwhen drops 6.5kg on a nice first-up showing at Kempsey on a heavy 10. Has a god record at this track and firmer ground is a plus for her. Each-way claims.

How to play it: Burning Bell WIN ($1.95 TAB Fixed Odds).

Burning Bell’s last start at Ipswich on June 22

2. Night Fighter comes through a couple of fairly strong races for this class, handy effort behind Clear Thinking two back then close up in the Guineas Prelude here on heavy. Back on top of the ground, down in grade and drawn well all translate to him being a big chance.

Dangers: 3. Cool Man ran up to his short quote on debut then drifter in betting at 1200m and got way too far back at Tamworth but still ran on well into fifth. Steps up in trip again here and is one of the major hopes. 8. Spills was almost two months between runs and back in trip when an even effort at Ballina on a heavy track a few weeks ago. Back onto good ground, drawn well and up slightly in trip are all positives so he could be a big improver. 9. Winter’s Promise was narrowly beaten on a heavy track at Murwillumbah before back onto good ground there she just held them off to break through. Good effort and while drawn wide she could give a sight if she can get into a forward spot.

How to play it: Night Fighter WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Night Fighter runs third at Grafton on July 7

7. Imprinted might be at his best a bit beyond 1000m but he’s right back in class after a Country Championships campaign last prep. Ran well in a strong Class 4 here first-up in that prep and while no public trials to go on it wouldn’t shock if he sprints well fresh.

Dangers: 2. Slippin’ Jimmy is also a little unsuited at 1000m but is fresh having not raced since a narrow defeat over 1350m at Doomben six weeks ago. Lightly raced and is a definite chance. 13. Sparkingly is racing well and comes off a popular win at Scone over 900m almost a month ago. Ran second at only start at this track and has each-way claims. 3. Swift Charm is going to need some luck from the wide gate first-up but did place twice in Highway grade at the start of last prep and close up in a Country Championships race. Keep safe.

How to play it: Imprinted EACH-WAY ($13 TAB Fixed Odds).

Imprinted’s first run last prep at Grafton

9. Kervette started a short priced favourite when resuming at Newcastle but didn’t jump the best and was always near the back, only making some small ground late. Inclined to forgive that as form last time in was honest.

Dangers: 15. Rodeo Dealer gave a good sight first-up at Kempsey on a heavy track then again in the wet when unplaced at Ballina but with excuses after getting well back. Chance to revert to an on pace pattern here and could bounce back. 17. All Too Zatso should also appreciate getting onto a good track after an even effort at Newcastle last month on heavy. Had a few chances but best efforts would put her in the mix in this. 3. Hudson's Lenny ran a much improved race at Ballina at his third run from a long break so if he backs that performance up he could be placed again.

How to play it: Kervette WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

Kervette's first-up run at Newcastle on June 29

4. Ferinzo was a bit of a drifter in betting on debut but was very strong late to just fail here over 1020m. Better for that and the extra ground should be in his favour so if he can lift from that he will be hard to beat.

Dangers: 1. Aquafire won that race as a solid favourite and meets the runner-up on the same weight terms. So if he can be strong with a shade further to cover he has to be respected. 11. Torn attracted plenty of support at Scone last time on a heavy track and bumped into one better in Photograph. Tricky gate for him here but done nothing wrong in his two country grade starts so keep in mind. 6. Head Case failed on a heavy 10 when resuming at Sunshine Coast so prepared to forgive that. Won here in March and with a dry track and handy gate could lift.

How to play it: Ferinzo WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds).

Ferinzo runs second at Grafton July 7

11. King Gutho sets up nicely for this race after being seven weeks between runs when narrowly beaten at Moruya second-up after coming from near last. Down 2.5kg and draws the inside, if he can make some use of that he’s struck a winnable scenario. Should run well.

Dangers: 1. Cavalier Charles has a wide gate to contend with but he does tend to be a backmarker so it might not be so bad for him. Freshened up since failing on a heavy at Randwick in BM94 company six weeks ago and was beaten under half a length first-up in the Listed Ortensia at Scone. Have to include. 2. Casino Lord is also a backmarker and he hasn’t raced since running fourth at Gunnedah as favourite with 61kg on his back. Sure to be running on as usual. 15. The Wolf was specked at long odds and was always in control on the speed when racing away to win here second-up on a heavy track. Harder race and back onto firmer ground but his other two wins are on good. Not out of it.

How to play it: King Gutho WIN ($8.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

King Gutho runs second at Moruya on June 28

7. Touristic hasn’t been tried beyond 2000m but arrives here fourth-up and in good form with a strong second-up win and a nice effort in the McKell Cup coming from last to run second. Draws to settle that bit closer and if he does run it out he’ll be in the finish.

Dangers: 3. Deny Knowledge is a bold front-runner who will no doubt set a solid tempo up front as she did at Eagle Farm last time. Very much a good tracker and her style offsets the wide gate. Sure to give a sight. 1. Spirit Ridge ran third in this race last year and is down in grade on his last couple. Not disgraced at WFA two runs back and has to be included in the chances. 6. Torrens has been battling on heavy tracks of late but he can bob up when it’s least expected and finds firmer ground for the first time this prep. Could surprise.

How to play it: Touristic WIN ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Touristic runs second at Rosehill on June 29

5. Compelling Truth is a promising sprinter who holds the key to this race. Strung three wins together at Dubbo by over five lengths on each occasion and gets into his toughest test on the limit weight. Will likely stalk from the draw and be hard to hold off.

Dangers: 8. Bomarea is a talented mare and she found her best form when resuming at Tamworth with an easy win over 1000m. Is a Highway winner and from the draw she’ll be prominent for a long way. 3. Mabel should relish getting away from a heavy track but she wasn’t disgraced when beaten 1.4 lengths by Shezanalister at Randwick last time. Best form is at this trip and has been placed here previously. Keep in mind. 2. Immoral drew wide and went back and was never in the race at Doomben last time, at the end of May. Freshened up for this, drawn the inside and previous form was excellent. Definite chance.

How to play it: Compelling Truth WIN ($1.65 TAB Fixed Odds).

Compelling Truth wins at Dubbo on June 19

All the fields, form and replays for Thursday’s Grafton meeting