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By Neil Evans

Track Soft 5 and rail out 3m from 900m to 275m where Cut/Away applies so predominantly on pace early before levelling out

The maidens get us underway over the sprint trip, and 3YO Scone filly 2. Fox Spirit looks the one to beat progressing off her sound debut run at Dubbo when just missing by a head.

Dangers: Watch the market on 3YO local filly and first starter 3. Can She Step (Sidestep x Canny Maree by Canny Lad) who has trialled quietly for leading stable; while 6YO Inverell mare 5. Flying Encounter is down in weight third-up and clear best of the rest.

How to play it: Fox Spirit to win. Odds and Evens: Split

Fox Spirit runs second at Dubbo on January 13

Thin staying battle at set weights augurs well for 4YO Scone mare 8. Lexi's Choice who has only won once from 17, but found the line well in much stronger races than this since late spring. Was only four lens off Magic Over The Bay in a BM 70 at Warwick Farm which should be good enough to put this lot away.

Dangers: Muswellbrook 4YO mare 6. Chick In Charge landed his maiden two runs back at Quirindi before dropping out in a stronger race at home. Up sharply in trip is a query. Cessnock 5YO gelding and former Victorian 4. South Bend has been easily overhauled at big odds in both NSW runs so far, although trainer has made key gear changes, and this is the weakest field he's met in a while. Since winning his maiden first-up at Tuncurry, 6YO Newcastle gelding 2. Geegeeaye has continued to find the line from well off the speed stepping up in distance each time. Will need the speed on up front first time over this trip, but capable of finishing on late. Muswellbrook 4YO gelding 1. Bullet Lad led and careered away to win his maiden two runs back at Moree, but compounded badly up in grade last start this track. Will find this easier.

How to play it: Lexi's Choice to win. Odds and Evens: Evens

Good competitive race, with several chances. Local 5YO gelding 5. Rattler can strike third-up getting to his pet trip. Flew home resuming in a Class 3 here before only a moderate run at Scone, but the winner ran a record, and that should prove to be a strong form race.

Dangers: Improving 5YO local mare 7. Pomme La Belle is ready for the rise in class after finishing hard in a BM 58 third-up at Gunnedah, and she drops 4kg from that run. Expect sharp second-up improvement from capable 5YO Scone gelding 6. The Warlord who draws the inside getting to a more suitable distance, and this is the lightest weight he's carried in a long time. Newcastle 6YO gelding 3. Kulnura gets his chance to break a run of outs from a good gate, with senior rider hopping on. Has finished okay in deeper BM 66 races last couple, and can land in a good spot right behind the speed. Include lightly raced 4YO Scone mare 8. Chambermaid who resumed with a solid effort from a wide gate in a BM 58 at home. Drops 3kg for the step up in grade, and draws to get a lovely trail; while another local, 7YO gelding 2. Eye On America has been mixing form all prep, but generally in much stronger company, although will need fair share of luck from an awkward barrier and up sharply in weight.

How to play it: Rattler and Pomme La Belle both to win; and first four 5,6,7,/3,5,6,7/2,3,5,6,7,8/2,3,5,6,7,8. Odds and Evens: Odds

Very open sprint here at set weights, although 6YO Scone gelding 2. Fort Jackson lands in the right race first-up for more than seven months off a handy Muswellbrook trial. Normally comes to hand quickly, and stable has a good strike rate early in the prep.

Dangers: Resuming off an even longer break, lightly raced 4YO Mudgee gelding 3. Royal Monarch has had two trials, and appears fit enough to figure.

How to play it: Fort Jackson each way and quinella 2 and 3. Odds and Evens: Split.

The girls lock horns over the five furlongs, and that's a tasty recipe for progressive 4YO Scone mare 2. The Light Of Day third-up from the inside barrier. Won her maiden resuming at Taree before doing best work late this grade at Port Macquarie when backed from $4.20 into $3.30.

Dangers: Grafton 5YO mare 3. Savanna Jeune returns off a break and a consistent spring prep, and draws to park right behind the speed. Cessnock 6YO mare 7. Mon Petite Fille was only even through the line resuming at Dubbo, but draws a better gate here and is a second-up winner. Local 5YO mare 6. Mystic Splendour resumes without a public trial, but fresh form is fair, and gets a 2kg claim; while 5YO mare and former Victorian 1. Class Aplenty has her first run for new Gunnedah stable, with senior rider aboard, but weighted to her best.

How to play it: The Light Of Day to win and quinella 2 and 3. Odds and Evens: Split

Plenty of chances in a competitive sprint. Like the steady improvement in three runs this prep from 4YO Scone gelding 3. Ausfighter who can peak here dropping in weight, and off a seven week freshen-up coming back in trip.

Dangers: Resuming 4YO Mudgee gelding 2. Sedgemoor has to cart 61kg, but has trialled okay and second-up form in stronger company is sound. Improving 4YO mare, and stablemate to Ausfighter, 7. Fiery Zone resumed off a lengthy break with a fast-finishing maiden win at Mudgee, and while stepping up sharply in grade, draws to get plenty of cover dropping 3kg to the limit weight.

How to play it: Ausfighter to win and box exacta 2,3,7. Odds and Evens: Odds

The boys take us out over the short course, and it's one of the tougher races of the day. Muswellbrook 4YO gelding 5. Two Big Fari resumes for a second prep off a seven month break, and an impressive trial win. Was competitive in a handy maiden on debut last winter before charging home to win this track next start.

Dangers: Local 7YO gelding 6. Lookin' Alive finds it hard to win, but remains a consistent and honest sprinter who has chalked up three placings in his last five in slightly tougher company. Had fit, and draws to get a nice run just off the speed. Gilgandra 8YO gelding 2. Cannizzaro mixes form and doesn't want it any further, but if he runs up to a close second in a BM 66 at Dubbo three back, with a 3kg claim, he'll be right in the finish. Drawn right alongside, 4YO Armidale gelding 3. Cocky Rocky also likes to push forward, and only two wins so far have both been second-up.

How to play it: Two Big Fari to win and quinella 5 and 6. Odds and Evens: Split.

Two Big Fari wins a trial at Scone on January 14

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