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By Ray Hickson

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

4. Dantains Prize was shaping up for a win with two seconds before striking a heavy 10 at Wagga earlier in the week and not being as effective. Narrowly beaten at this track three runs ago and gets conditions and a race to suit her. Hard to beat.

Dangers: 3. Broken Image didn’t run on as expected at Albury a month ago after being a close second at the same track the start prior. Entitled to another chance. 6. Gioia River has been racing well without winning and boxed on okay to run third at Wagga on Monday. Drawn well and only has to continue her good form to be in the mix. 8. Miss Pepeha is also on the back up from a placing at Wagga but she jumps back to 1400m. Past four runs have been her best so stays under notice.

How to play it: Dantains Prize WIN.

7. Dekadance hasn’t raced since last August where she was placed in all three starts, the latest behind Highway Strip. Fitter for a recent trial, draws to get an economical run from the rails and she should be very competitive.

Dangers: 10. Spice Of Dubai is an interesting first start in a good stable and she was a trial winner at Wagga a few weeks ago. Any push in the market would be significant for her. 12. Triptolemus is also on debut and this two-year-old has only trialled once in public in the same heat as Dekadance at Canberra just over a week ago. Also worth watch the market. 2. Megaflash was a little disappointing last preparation but has trialled up strongly on two occasions. Will need some luck from that barrier but could run a handy race.

How to play it: Dekadance WIN.

5. First Day should take plenty of beating on the back of a dominant showing over the 2000m at Wagga a few weeks ago in similar company. Up the 3kg but wouldn’t think that’s a big deal and he’ll get his chance from the rails gate.

Dangers: 4. Due Calzini was no match for First Day when runner-up at Wagga then broke through as an odds-on elect at Canberra on the synthetic. Sure to be around the mark again. 10. Doc March has form tying in with those horses having run second to Due Calzini after making a dash. Still a maiden but racing well. 2. Ceremonious rises in distance after a disappointing effort at Kembla Grange over the mile. Has won at the 2000m previously so has the chance to improve.

How to play it: First Day WIN.

4. Commands Success has been thereabouts in four runs this preparation and was well supported in a close second at Wagga last time. Gets a weight swing in his favour and from the inside gate should be quite hard to stop.

Dangers: 5. Perigean hasn’t raced since February and not trialled publicly but did win first-up last prep at the 1000m and won again second-up. One to keep an eye on fresh. 7. Danceenuff is a consistent mare who has placed at her last couple at Corowa. Finds some weight relief and has an each-way chance. 2. Big Day Out found his best form when scoring at Wagga, charging from the back at big odds. Has won here previously and is in the mix. 3. Deep Snow is right down in grade on what he faced last time in and he could feature.

How to play it: Commands Success WIN.

1. Graceful Ellen was super impressive winning first-up as favourite in a maiden then a drifter in betting and a shade disappointing at Moruya a couple of weeks ago. Back in grade and to fillies and mares, drawn well and has the chance to bounce back.

Dangers: 3. Sweet Paree has found her form again with a couple of seconds on end, has won at this track and if she keeps it up she’s in the finish again. 4. Sundrop went down narrowly at Gundagai on a heavy track when a drifting favourite last time out. She drops in weight and has an each-way chance. 7. Winehouse looked good winning first-up at Wagga then perhaps the heavy is an excuse last time at Gundagai. Could be an improver.

How to play it: Graceful Ellen WIN.

1. Dubai Centre has another big weight to carry but it’s only 2kg more than last start where he cruised home at Moruya in similar company. That backed up a good run at Goulburn prior and given he’s racing as well as ever he’ll be hard to beat.

Dangers: 2. Invasive was far from disgraced as a $101 shot in a Highway at Randwick three weeks ago and a repeat performance would be enough to have him in the mix. Runner-up in three starts prior to that. 3. Black Adam appreciated the drop in class and led all the way over 1200m at this track a month ago. Onus on him to repeat it now but can give a sight. 6. Zouwase failed to beat one home as favourite first-up at Moruya with no obvious excuse. He’s better than that and wouldn’t surprise if he performs a lot better.

How to play it: Dubai Centre WIN.

1. Cougars scored a popular win at Goulburn as favourite then up to Highway level he performed soundly to run sixth in what looked a strong race. Back in grade and with that bit of luck in running from the gate he can go close.

Dangers: 3. Hellinda found her best form fourth-up with a strong on pace win at Moruya over this trip. Should land on speed again and has to be included in the chances. 2. Rollo is a big watch first-up since finishing midfield in the Country Championships at Wagga in March. Down in grade on his two runs in that prep and drawn the inside, he could be dangerous. 8. Bessie La Belle is chasing a hat-trick following and easy win at Albury and a close call at Gundagai on heavy tracks. Stays down in the weights and hard to leave out while in this form.

How to play it: Cougars WIN.

**BIG DANCE ELIGIBILITY**

3. Prince Of Helena has won this race the past two years and brings very similar form into it this year with a Swan Hill Cup placing and a sound effort at Flemington a few weeks ago. Inside gate isn’t a negative with good speed engaged and he should run well.

Dangers: 2. Zouatica was ridden to lead for the first time in several starts and went down swinging when nailed by Thunderlips at Rosehill last start. Rolls forward from the wide gate and can take running down. 4. Hot Bandit hit the line nicely to run second at Warwick Farm and gets a big weight drop into this after the claim. Consistent type who could measure up to as tougher race. 8. Copperfield has won four of his last six and a mile holds no fears. Won the Picnic Cup here in March, and has continued to race well since.

How to play it: Prince Of Helena WIN.

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday’s Narrandera meeting