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By Neil Evans

Track Good 4 and rail out 3m from 1000m to 300m into a cut/away so on speed early before levelling out

Tricky opening sprint for the maidens from a couple of debutants to one having his 35th start. Liked the trial of 3YO Scone filly and first starter 10. Nana Neddy (Swiss Ace x Nana Jean by Rock Of Gibraltar) who was pressured in front all the way and stuck on gamely behind the smart Two Big Fari who then resumed with a dominant win. Draws to get a sound run, and trainer is going great guns.

Dangers: Wyong 3YO filly 9. Minifinn finished off okay in a handy field on debut at Taree over this trip, and will be better suited getting on to the bigger track. Expect improvement from 4YO Scone mare 4. Advise Me who was easily run over this track last start, but better suited in firmer ground, and stronger rider is back on, with the blinkers coming off. Wyong 3YO filly 7. Ashmore Berto can also improve at second start back on top of the ground, with form apprentice taking 2kg off.

How to play it: Nana Neddy to win and trifecta 9,10/4,7,9,10/4,7,9,10. Odds and Evens (First 2): Split.

Still with the maidens over the middle distance, and this augurs well at second start for exciting 3YO Scone gelding 6. Total Recall who charged late to miss by a nose on debut at Tamworth, and another one who looks beautifully placed getting to the bigger track.

Dangers: Scone 3YO gelding 3. Brother Bassy can improve at third start getting to a more suitable trip. Was easy in betting when only fair to the line here last start, but gets a little weight relief. Watch the market on improving 3YO Warwick Farm filly 9. If You Think So who finished off okay second-up at home. Newcastle 4YO gelding 1. Discombe can peak fourth-up from a soft draw. Was only overhauled late as a well backed favourite here last start, and if he can control the speed again, will take some running down.

How to play it: Total Recall to win. Odds and Evens: Split.

Total Recall runs second at Tamworth on January 23

Smart 4YO Newcastle mare 1. Star Alibi got lost back in the field resuming at Tamworth, but returns to the track where he is unbeaten from two starts, both times charging home from well off the pace last winter. Needs to win to cement a Provincial C'ship path towards the autumn.

Dangers: Local 4YO gelding 3. Sir Leo produced a big run second-up closing late in a tight BM 58 finish at Tamworth, and drops 1.5kg from an even better draw. Gulgong 4YO gelding 4. Slatey Bay has finished off okay in two runs back, and can peak on a suitable track third-up.

How to play it: Star Alibi to win and quinella 1 and 3. Odds and Evens: Odds.

Star Alibi's first-up run at Taree on January 13

Back to the short course, and this looks ideal for resuming 3YO Scone gelding 6. Plucky Cuvee who hasn't publicly trialled, but draws to park just off a strong speed, and will come to hand quickly.

Dangers: No doubt 3YO Hawkesbury filly 2. Special Date will again take some catching after careering away to win her maiden this track and trip by more than six lengths, but she's up in weight against some better ones here. Watch the market on resuming 3YO Newcastle colt 5. Giordano who has had two quiet trials, and was only just run down on debut last winter before winning at second start. Newcastle 3YO filly 7. Redlight Dancer disappointed in stronger class second-up after leading at Port Macquarie, but her early speed is made for this trip.

How to play it: Plucky Cuvee to win and box trifecta 2,5,6,7. Odds and Evens: Split

Another tough sprint with plenty of chances. Keen on 4YO home track mare 10. Stars Don't Lie (also accepted for Dubbo) who did her best work late resuming in the heavy at Taree, and much better suited back on top of the ground over this trip, and drawn to get plenty of cover.

Dangers: Newcastle 3YO colt 5. Spiritual Power can improve second-up in a weaker maiden after a fair run at Scone, with the blinkers going on. Very forgiving of 3YO Wyong filly 8. Summer Orchard who will find this easier after nothing went right on debut in a strong maiden at Taree when a $4.40 equal favourite, and pulled up with a slow recovery; while 3YO Gosford filly 9. Fonce Factor resumes off a quiet trial and a one-off debut run last spring at Tuncurry when she failed to run on in a good maiden run in record time.

How to play it: Stars Don't Lie to win and box trifecta 5,10/5,8,10/5,8,9,10. Odds and Evens: Split

Only bad luck should stop promising 4YO Scone gelding 4. Free Rider who can step up from a dominant maiden win at Tamworth as a hot favourite after two luckless fast-finishing runs to start his career. Bred to get over further, and should love the long run in on this track.

Dangers: Smart 5YO Tamworth gelding 1. Akecheeta has been freshened and looks suited, despite lumping 60.5kg. Swept away for a dominant win this grade at Quirindi two runs back before run down late here in a good quality Class 2. Doubt anything else can win, although local 6YO gelding 5. Manno can peak third-up after chasing home two good gallopers; and 3YO Scone filly 9. Love Me Quietly has found the line nicely in two runs back this grade, and another one well placed with the blinkers coming off. Include local 5YO gelding 12. Litt Up who is hard fit after four runs back, and gets the winkers on, in wider exotics.

How to play it: Free Rider to win and quinella 1 and 4. Odds and Evens: Split

Back to a moderate five furlong dash to close the card, and hard to imagine one resuming off a long break with more gear changes than 5YO Scone gelding 13. In A Spring, but trialled nicely on this track despite laying in for much of the run home, and gets in light after rider's claim.

Dangers: Local 4YO gelding 7. Euroaire has been up for a while, and seemingly edging towards a second career win after doing his best work late behind handy sprinters in his last two. Scone 5YO gelding 3. More Than A Samba loves to roll forward, and won his maiden at Gunnedah two runs back before sticking on okay this track a month back. Was scratched from an earlier race. Don't dismiss 7YO Newcastle gelding 5. Jack's Image who has only won twice from 39 starts and been a huge price all prep. Got home to finish less than four lengths behind the smart Pearl Roan in a hot Class 2 at Scone, and if he reproduces anything like that can drive late into the finish.

How to play it: In A Spring each way. Odds and Evens: Odds.

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