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By Neil Evans

Track improving to Soft 6 and rail True.

Very open maiden sprint to start. North Coast mare 3. Attestar gets first use of the inside second-up on an improving track. Disappointed first-up on a very heavy and poor Grafton surface so prepared to forgive getting to firmer footing here.

Dangers: Stepping out for the first time s Nostradamus filly 7. Mystic Magic who won her only lead-up trial; while 15. The Polenitsa looms as the best of the longer-priced runners also on debut off a forward trial if she gets a run.

How to play it: Attestar to win
Odds and Evens: Odds

One of those tactical higher benchmark affairs over a middle trip; but on a sound trailing map, and well treated at the weights after the claim, Tamworth five-year-old 1. Knife's Edge is the one to beat deep into the prep. Has been in the money all year, including a dominant CL1 win two starts back before beaten under a length when ridden closer in a CL2 20 days ago. Taking on a couple of better ones here, but there's no fitter horse in the race, and this isn't overly strong for the grade.

Dangers: Capable mare 2. Kingstar Bullet won three from four around this region before dropping out badly in very heavy ground three weeks back, and the return to at least soft ground is a plus. Gap to the rest.

How to play it: Knife's Edge to win and quinella 1 and 2
Odds and Evens: Split

Very tough race to assess. Like Coffs mare 7. Qukes fourth-up on the score of superior ability as much as any run in transit. Been right on the winner's heels in her last two, and if she can get across from the wide barrier, will take plenty of gunning down on this tighter circuit.

Dangers: Star Turn filly 6. Miss Laquetta is another one with more than enough ability at this level having produced a dominant off-speed maiden win two starts back. Keep safe and honest 4. Great Marlow who can improve sharply from a soft draw and a month between runs; while 2. Dark Euro is a worthy exotic inclusion with a far superior country rider taking over.

How to play it: Qukes to win
Odds and Evens: Split

Confident progressive Coffs four-year-old 1. Exercise can peak with a bang fifth-up. Overdue as well having gone down narrowly in his last couple when well in the market, but draws to control the speed, and this is fairly weak.

Dangers: Improving three-year-old 2. Jac's Legacy can also strike a peak fourth-up over a bit more ground and draws to get a nice trail off the speed. Keep safe Scone filly 7. Allay who is still learning, but has ability and comes through some deeper maidens; while 6. Gracious Gracie is best of the rest fourth-up, despite drawing off the track.

How to play it: Exercise to win
Odds and Evens: Split

Any number of chances here in a race that should provide a strong tempo. Like the value of improving three-year-old 6. State Capital who has succumbed to late pressure in his last two, but this is weaker and draws to get a softer run, with superior jockey taking over.

Dangers: Plenty of them headed by 12. Hasalake who has more than enough ability and form references to win, but concerned she may drift a long way back on a smaller track. That said, she hit the line impressively behind a handy winner last start, and has only missed a place three times from 10 career starts. Was scratched from Moree on Thursday to run in this. Keep safe 5. Spo Dee resuming off a tidy trial, with blinkers removed; while 9. Amber Deluxe fourth-up goes in trifectas and first fours.

How to play it: State Capital to win
Odds and Evens: Evens

Underrated five-year-old 7. Portafortuna is still hunting a second win ahead of his 16th start, but is suited in this and way over the odds. Has worked home nicely in his last couple when ridden quieter, and the significant step up to the mile distance comes at the right time.

Dangers: Progressive and consistent Gold Coast three-year-old 10. Amphawa is the logical threat off a smart maiden win over the border three weeks back, but has to overcome a tough gate. Include 9. Shotgun Bobby who draws inside; and 5. Just Jacky behind a breakthrough maiden win at Muswellbrook 11 days ago; head the rest.

How to play it: Portafortuna each way
Odds and Evens: Split

Deep race for this class with a stack of chances headed by improving mare 2. Water Dove who peaks from a better draw fourth-up. Just got too far back from a tricky gate in a tough grade at Tamworth last start, and settling closer here she looks beautifully placed to notch a third win from nine starts.

Dangers: No tougher runner in this than topweight 1. Hauraki Gulf who isn't badly treated after the 2kg claim. Ran four straight placings in similar grade far and wide before stalking the speed and going home best to claim a CL1 in heavy ground three weeks back. Keep safe, talented albeit unreliable three-year-old stablemate to the top selection 6. Babayka who broke through at his fourth start; while 7. Without Shame was preferred here to Moree on Thursday and capable of running into the minor end of the prize.

How to play it: Water Dove to win
Odds and Evens: Split

Keen on progressive three-year-old 2. Koondeeman making it two straight wins this prep after a dominant return maiden win when he stalked the speed and took over early in the straight. Was tackling tougher provincial and metro company last prep, and carrying only half kilo more, his is supremely placed here.

Dangers: Resuming four-year-old 1. Rapids trialled quietly, but normally comes to hand very early in the prep; while 5. Kung Fu Mushu returning off a nine week break and useful trial; and 4. Gobbled progressing third-up; are on the next line.

How to play it: Koondeeman to win
Odds and Evens: Split

BEST BETS:
R7 2. WATER DOVE
R8 2. KOONDEEMAN

BEST VALUE:
R5 6. STATE CAPITAL

All the fields, form and replays for Friday's Inverell meeting