Lucky Loader’s NAP
4.00 Nottingham – Almudena (15/8)
Since stepping up in trip Almudena has shown signs of improvement for Sir Mark Prescott. The last time we saw her, she really stuck her neck down to win at Sandown, and she wasn’t stopping at the line. I think she learnt a lot that day, and I think she’ll continue to improve. That race was over 1m6f, and she is now stepping up to 2m. However, if you look at her pedigree, that shouldn’t be a problem, as several of her relatives stayed this far. The daughter of Study Of Man will also be in receipt of the fillies’ allowance carrying 8st 3lb, which could be a gift. I think she has a lot going for her to make it back-to-back wins.
Lucky Loader’s NB
4.30 Nottingham – Exponista (12/1)
This is a tight handicap, but Exponista has been running better than bare-form suggestions on her last two outings. Last time out, she finished sixth in the Racing League at Wolverhampton and then fourth at Doncaster, where she met Tourist, who reopposes here. However, I think the key to her running well today is the return to this venue. She won over this course and distance last year with Rossa Ryan doing the steering, and he is booked again to ride today. The three-year-old filly also likes to make the running, and the track has been favouring front runners, so that’s another positive for her. With a good draw towards the standside rail in Stall 7, I’m expecting a bold bid.
