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By Neil Evans

Track likely improving to Good 4 and rail out 4m from 1000m to WP and True the remainder

We start the Cup Prelude meeting over the staying trip on a track that should get close to Good. Keen on underrated mare 4. Dissenter who can strike from a better draw and with significant weight relief. Has worked home okay in her last three, only beaten last start by one of the better restricted stayers in country NSW. Maps to get cover just off the speed, and form rider takes over.

Dangers: Consistent off-speed mare 3. Endorphins has had to make up too much ground in her last couple, but can settle a little closer in this field. Included in exotics 7. Zaidin who hasn't missed a place in his last three, and 5. Foodie King from the inside gate with blinkers back on.

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

This shapes nicely for emerging provincial filly 8. Classic Deel at her fourth start. Has done her best work in her last two from well back over shorter trips, and desperately wants the mile now on much firmer ground.

Dangers: Improving filly 9. Love Rules has never been far away all prep, and will relish getting off heavy tracks. Comes back a little in grade, and draws to get a handy trail. Another improver 4. Windabull similarly has been in and around the money all prep, but looks a shade under the odds from a tricky barrier; while 3. Second Half draws to get a charmed run and can finish into a place.

How to play it: Classic Deel to win
Odds and Evens: Split

Now the first of the short course battles, and ex Waller-trained three-year-old 2. Best Side looms as the one to beat for a new and shrewd provincial stable. Didn't fulfil anywhere near his early reputation in much stronger gardes last prep, but trialled strongly at the provincials, and this looks a very winnable starting point.

Dangers: Another one nice and fresh, 11. Power Conductor is a big threat from the inside draw behind a forward trial. Improving 1. Burdekin has chased home two handy maiden winners in two runs back, although has a task slotting in here from the wider gate.

How to play it: Best Side to win and quinella 2 and 11
Odds and Evens: Split

Testing maiden, and the late market will be a big indicator surrounding the two Cody Morgan-trained runners. Keen at the value of lightly raced four-year-old 13. Royal Confession first-up since spring. Has had two strong trial hit-outs, draws to get a nice run with cover, and a leading country rider has been booked.

Dangers: Stablemate mare to the top selection 1. Jocat narrowly missed first-up off a long break at Scone after tracking the speed. Again draws to find a striking position, but has shown to come off a peg or two second-up. Big watch on improving mare 4. Lago Di Braies who worked home nicely on debut from a wide gate.

How to play it: Royal Confession to win and quinella 1 and 13
Odds and Evens: Odds

Got plenty of time for progressive Deep Field three-year-old 3. Deep Snow who finished best to break through second-up. Has sidestepped a couple of heavy tracks lately to be saved for this, and draws to get a nice position right behind the speed.

Dangers: Smart provincial mare 8. Decadent Tale was ultra impressive resuming, careering away to thrash handy maiden opposition in good time. Big watch on improving filly 1. What A Peach who has won two from four this prep, and drops down from a tougher provincial grade; while both 6. Aarkus third-up from the inside draw; and home track four-year-old 5. Just In Reach dropping in weight; are over the odds.

How to play it: Deep Snow to win
Odds and Evens: Split

The feature race looks the domain of progressive home track four-year-old 4. Acrophobic who is well placed to strike third-up back in distance off a near seven week freshen-up. Hit the line impressively in the Quirindi Cup despite covering ground, and always races best when he can get to the outside of horses from the 500m. Kept ticking over via a very quiet trial.

Dangers: Consistent three-year-old 8. Buffet Buster has won his last two, and draws to get a soft run right behind the speed. Don't undersell 5. Patriot at bigger odds. Will get back, but can charge home late on a drying track. Keep safe 12. Previso fifth-up and dropping back from Class 6 metro company; while 2. Herzegovina can improve sharply.

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

Good competitive sprint to close the meeting, and a few of these will scale bigger heights. Despite a testing wide barrier, like lightly raced six-year-old 2. I'm A Cracker who resumes off a seven month spell, and is trained on the track. Has a smart first-up record here, and jockey change is very significant, slotting in behind a strong speed.

Dangers: Talented mare 6. Water Dove compounded when leading second-up, but her tactical speed will be crucial around this smaller track. Capable mare 9. Tango Stepz is another one who fires nice and fresh, and draws to get a sweet trail off speed. Keep safe 5. Giftgiver who is much better suited here second-up on firm ground off a six week freshen after dropping out in Highway grade on a Heavy 10.

How to play it: I'm A Cracker to win
Odds and Evens: Evens

BEST BETS:
R1 4. DISSENTER
R4 13. ROYAL CONFESSION

BEST VALUE:
R5 3. DEEP SNOW

All the fields, form and replays for Monday's Tamworth meeting