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By Ray Hickson

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

1. Bourne could be a big improver on what we’ve seen at the trials lately with the blinkers going on for his debut. Wasn’t a bad hit-out at this track in July, fair effort at Wyong since but a soft draw and the extra ground are pluses. Keep safe.

Dangers: 5. Look For Options made a promising debut over 1000m on a heavy 10, charging home from well back into third. Wasn’t fancied in betting so will need to back that up but on face value has to be respected. 2. Far Horizons hasn’t really lit up the track in his trials but wary of him first-up for Annabel Neasham. Draws well and any support for him would be significant. 6. Neddy might appreciate the rise in distance on his two runs back for midfield finishes at Scone. Held his ground okay in both runs and this is a chance for him to improve.

How to play it: Bourne WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Bourne runs second in a Muswellbrook trial on July 21

3. Custo looked good leading all the way on debut at Scone, then no luck at all tracking wide at Wyong. Still fought on okay there and expect he’ll find the front this time. Well worth another chance though he is quite a short price.

Dangers: 5. Iron Hat showed promise last time in, two runs back haven’t been up to standard but did draw wide here last time and was never in the race. Chance to improve this time around from an inside alley and no surprise if he does lift. 1. Chalkley had plenty of support at Bathurst fourth-up and ran right up to it with a narrow defeat after leading. Rarely beaten too far and he’s one of the chances. 6. The Regular Show comes off a maiden win but it was a solid effort and the runner-up has since won to confirm the form a little. Certainly a place chance.

How to play it: Custo WIN ($1.65 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Custo wins on debut at Scone on July 15

11. Suva May is knocking on the door for a win after four second placings on end and was a shade unlucky at Tamworth last time out. Looks a race of few chances, she’s drawn well and the extra 100m is in her favour. Go well. Read trainer Theresa Stair's comments here.

Dangers: 4. Mangoola made his debut in the same race, finishing fourth after racing in the bunch chasing a tearaway leader. Fitter for it, and is the one with scope for improvement so could easily pose a big threat. 5. Mullamaart was a drifter in betting on debut and didn’t get into the race at all finishing just off midfield at Scone over 1100m. Jumps quickly in distance and given how well he had trialled previously he could be one to keep safe. 7. Apache Jewel is a query first-up without a trial but kicking off at this sort of trip gives her some chance to be competitive though probably just a place chance.

How to play it: Suva May WIN ($2.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Suva May runs second at Tamworth on August 12

1. Foolish has found form and backed up an overdue Taree win with a game second over this course some 10 days ago. Rises in weight but should get the favours from a nice gate and will likely be challenging for the front with 200m to go. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 7. Entrez Boo made her local debut at this track recently worked home okay from near the back over the 1000m. On her Victorian form she should appreciate stepping up in distance so she could be easily be an improver. 3. Hard To Dismiss has put three solid runs together this time in and drops nicely in weight after running third at Scone just over a week ago. Placed here prior to that and is an each-way chance. 2. Trumpster seemed to have his chance when third in the same race as Foolish but fitter now for two runs back and with luck from the wide gate can feature.

How to play it: Foolish WIN ($2.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Foolish runs second at Muswellbrook on August 21

3. Pliskova has found one better in both starts to date and both runs have had plenty of merit. Had to track wide at Tamworth second-up on a heavy 10 and still tried hard. Logical horse to beat after the scratchings.

Dangers: 5. Les Girls disappointed a little when resuming but bounced back to go down in a close finish here on August 21. Not far off a win and she’s one of the main hopes. 4. Enthralled is the big question mark. Ex-Victorian on debut for local stable with no public trials. Form suggests 1000m will be sharp but one to keep an eye on. 2. Prince Pilgrim is on debut as a five-year-old and trialled once for a close third at Wyong a few weeks ago. Could show up.

How to play it: Pliskova WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

7. Media Man is racing in super form with successive wins over this course and there’s no reason why he couldn’t take beating again in a race that looks to have some tempo. Likely to get back but will be hitting the line strongly again.

Dangers: 3. Vanbari will be fitter for two runs back and did improve at Scone last time out in a higher benchmark race. Will be somewhere on the speed and if he can hold form now he’s a good chance. 2. Visceral won nicely at Taree second-up then very disappointing at Port Macquarie after leading. Both runs were on heavy 10s so couldn’t blame the track condition for last start. Inclined to give her another chance as she’s generally consistent. 1. I Want One didn’t appear to have any excuses when a beaten favourite at Quirindi a few weeks ago. Previous couple of efforts were solid enough and she might also be worth another look.

How to play it: Media Man WIN ($4.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Media Man wins at Muswellbrook on August 21

12. Forbidden Palace produced an eye-catching first-up performance here over 1000m, charging into second from well back. Was $31 there but shapes as though the extra ground will suit and in a very winnable race if he repeats the effort can go close.

Dangers: 3. Warrah Flash will find this a lot easier than the Highway he contested second-up at Rosehill though he has given away decent starts in both runs back. Last couple of runs in this sort of grade yielded second placings so he’s well suited and entitled to feature. 8. Inzaghi won nicely at Dubbo two starts ago when on speed then drew wide and went back at Forbes and was never in the hunt. Might need to bite the bullet and go forward here as that’s been her best pattern lately. 6. Superel was an easy winner of the Gulargambone Cup last weekend, did win in this grade back in July so not without a chance.

How to play it: Forbidden Palace E/W ($8.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Forbidden Palace runs second at Muswellbrook on August 21

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