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Tips and race by race preview by Jack Webster for Friday’s Mudgee meeting. Selections based on a soft track.

5. Ischyros produced a respectable first-up effort at Gundagai, finishing strongly to claim second from an unfavorable position. Steps out for his third start here with another favorable draw can be expected to show natural improvement. Should go close again.

Dangers: 11. Spring Prospect makes her debut at her home track following a solid trial, finishing second and showing plenty of promise. With a positive race setup, she looks well-placed to strike first-up. 10. Casino Diva showed determination on debut at Narromine, surging late to finish just outside the placings from a tough position. Fitter for the two-week turnaround and well-drawn here, she looks set to make a bigger impact with expected improvement. 6. Torn has gone close in previous efforts but may have hit the front too soon last start at Armidale, fading late. Gets another chance here and has the potential to improve.

How to play it: Ischyros WIN ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds)

4. Hot Gospel has been in strong form recently and looks suited by the step up in distance this campaign. Battled on well for third at Orange last start, showing grit in the closing stages and should be in the mix again. One to watch.

Dangers: 5. Margaret’s Missile finished third at Dubbo last start in a strong performance and comes into this with a quick four-day turnaround. Well-placed to be competitive again here. 1. Lady Tino has been competitive in previous starts, with excuses for her run at Muswellbrook last start. Will need to overcome the wide draw but comes into this race fit off a one-week turnaround with a 1.5kg claim engaged. 6. Nothing Sacred has been racing consistently of late and lines up here under preferred conditions. Well-placed to be competitive again.

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

4. Wandering Jack has been consistent across six starts and resumed this campaign in excellent form with back-to-back wins. He won his last start at Wellington with a sharp turn of foot, chasing down the leader in the closing stages in an impressive run. Freshened and benefits from a 1.5kg apprentice claim.

Dangers: 7. Nomorenightshift is unbeaten in two starts during his initial campaign, with wins at Dubbo on debut and Gunnedah before a spell. Resumes here off the back of a strong trial win at Scone. Hard to overlook and sure to be in the finish. 3. Bare To Witness showed promise in initial runs, though form has tapered off since. Finds a more suitable race here and is well-placed to make an impact. Every chance. 6. Not Written Off has shown improved form since returning to country level. Race fit and benefits from a favorable setup here, making him a strong contender.

How to play it: Wandering Jack WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds)

4. Perfumist has shown marked improvement this campaign, narrowly missing in two of three starts since resuming. Comes off a strong performance at Goulburn last start, finishing runner-up after overcoming a tough wide position. Finds another suitable race here and shapes as a major threat.

Dangers: 2. Tonkatsu Goddess has been consistent across seven starts and has shown strong form recently. Fought hard to chase down rivals and secure victory last start at Scone. Fitter for the two-week turnaround and well-suited to the distance. 6. Lightning Speed has been consistently around the placings since debut, breaking through for a maiden win last start at Tamworth. Backing up on a one-week turnaround and will look to feature again. 12. Xanthe won last start at her home track. Freshened, draws the fence, and should be a strong contender again here.

How to play it: Perfumist WIN ($1.85 TAB Fixed Odds)

9. Billabong Rose has shown sharp improvement since debut, with her most recent performance being a runner-up finish at Muswellbrook with a strong effort when resuming. Benefits from a 1.5kg claim and is fitter for the one-week turnaround.

Dangers: 5. Storm Park on debut here and has been trialing well in preparation. Showed promise as runner-up in the Tamworth trial and looks well-placed to be competitive first up. One to watch. 3. Benamera is showing steady improvement, most notably battling on to place at Newcastle when second up in a hard-fought race. Positive race setup and right in this. 1. Taipan Legend backs up quickly after just one week, with excuses to be made for his run at Tamworth last start. Should be fitter and can bounce back here.

How to play it: Billabong Rose WIN ($4.80 TAB Fixed Odds)

2. Extravagant Lad arrives in top form after dominant wins at Gunnedah and Queanbeyan. Drawn well, he faces a tougher challenge here but can measure up and will look to build on those performances.

Dangers: 1. Strombus, formerly trained by John O’Shea, returns from a year-long spell after displaying competitive form at city level. First up, trialed well in preparation and looks capable of making an impact. One to consider. 4. Smart And Dapper has been racing consistently and proving competitive in recent attempts. He was strong last start but narrowly ran down late. Suited to this distance and looks poised for a solid performance. comes off a win last start at Narromine, showcasing a sharp turn of foot late in the race. Faces a tougher contest here but worth considering. 5. Jaex is capable of improvement after an underwhelming run when resuming at Hawkesbury. Better suited here and worth another chance.

How to play it:Extravagant Lad WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds)

**BIG DANCE ELIGIBILITY**

3. Ravello Trained by John O’Shea and Tom Charlton, finished seventh in the Little Dance at Randwick last month with a competitive run. Freshened and returns to country racing at a more suitable distance. With a positive race setup from the inside draw, he looks well-placed to regain his previous form and be a strong contender here.

Dangers: 1. Hollywood Hero put in a respectable effort at Kembla last start, competing well and hitting the line strongly. With the right race setup, he has the potential to show up here and be a threat. 5. Dances With Hooves returns to country level after struggling to be competitive at city level in earlier attempts this campaign. Finished last at Rosehill last start but has been freshened and finds a more suitable race here at a distance that suits. One of the more competitive in this field. 8. Feirme Prince won at Orange last start despite an ordinary form line prior. Can build on that performance and be competitive again here.

How to play it: Ravello WIN ($2.10 TAB Fixed Odds)

3. Grins has shown impressive form this campaign with three second-place finishes and a win last start. Secured a hard-fought victory at Narromine in his most recent outing and will look to continue his strong form and make it back-to-back wins in this race.

Dangers: 1. Stratified has shown sharp improvement in recent performances, narrowly missing out at Narromine last start after being chased down in the final moments. With a 1.5kg claim engaged and an inside draw, he looks well-placed to be a major threat in this race. 9. Girrawheen showed improvement when resuming this campaign, securing a solid second-place finish at Scone last start. With natural progression expected, she is poised to be competitive and can threaten here. 6. Order Of Merit has had mixed form recently but has shown success at this track in the past. Third-up now, he is primed for an improved performance and could cause an upset in this race.

How to play it: Grins WIN ($7.50 Tab Fixed Odds)

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