7.50pm Nottingham Tips & Betting Preview 25/07/2017

A field of seven go to post for the fifth race of the evening at Nottingham on Tuesday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: With our original selection Duck Egg Blue a Non Runner we now side with AL NAFOORAH. She needs to learn to settle better, but if she does, the Ed Dunlop trained filly has a great chance of notching up her 2nd win. Conditions should be fine for her and more improvement off this mark looks likely.

1 ROMAN DE BRUT – Two wins in the spring, but he hasn’t gone on from those the last twice and more is needed in a competitive race. He was last seen at Newcastle on the all weather when only able to muster up eighth, well beaten and showing very little in the way of promise. Softer ground shouldn’t be a problem if judged on his good to soft win at Chepstow, but a handicap mark of 77 is likely to be. Possible each way contender but likely vulnerable for win purposes.

2 FIT FOR THE JOB  (NON RUNNER) – Five year old who made his third British start a winning one for Jonjo O’Neill, storming away to win at Windsor earlier this month. He has been raised four pounds as a result, but he remains well treated on the best of his Irish form and a return to soft ground could spark further improvement from him. Finley Marsh offsets his penalty and three pounds more, so he looks set to go close.

3 LAMLOOM – Won an maiden at Ayr on his penultimate start for David O’Meara before running a good race on handicap debut at the same venue when last seen. He kept on strongly to finish a neck second and has only been raised three pounds by the handicapper. Softer ground shouldn’t be of any concern and if building on that latest run he has definite frame claims under David Nolan, though he will need to settle better off this mark.

4 UNDER ATTACK – Still a maiden after eight starts, well held on both his runs for the in form Ruth Carr team. He was last seen at Doncaster when only able to muster up seventh, but he should be happier back at the mile and new headgear is tried. He’s now down to a mark of 72 which makes him look dangerous and this jockey and trainer combination has been going very strongly of late. Softer ground is unlikely to be a problem as his best effort came on good to soft, so he has to be considered.

5 AL NAFOORAH – Frustrating sort for Ed Dunlop who finished second on five occasions before finally breaking her maiden at the eighth attempt, taking a Wetherby handicap in good style. Raised five pounds in the handicap, she was far too keen early on when fourth at Windsor and if learning to settle better off the same mark, she still remains with potential for better in time. PJ McDonald takes the ride and softer ground shouldn’t be a problem, so she looks to have a great chance.

6 NATAJACK – Lightly raced three year old for Richard Fahey who got off the mark on his latest start at Carlisle, winning by a neck and he’s only up one pound as a result. He still remains unexposed at this trip and has possibilities for further improvement now he returns to softer ground. Tony Hamilton takes the ride and if taking another step forward, he looks a solid each way contender.

7 DUCK EGG BLUE – Three year old filly who has had mixed results since transferring from the Kevin Prendergast team in Ireland to Patrick Holmes. She is a dual winner on testing ground and she proved that was her preferred ground when second at Hamilton on her penultimate start. She was disappointing since, but a mark of 71 sees her back onto her last winning mark and the testing ground should show us her true form. (N/R)