15:20 Leicester

Andy Holding's NAP Selection (15:20 Leicester)

DEVASTE (NAP) easily fared best of those drawn high in an ultra-competitive three-year-old handicap at York last time out and when you factor in that performance was also endorsed on the speed figures, Terry Kent’s gelding has bright prospect of finally getting off the mark for the campaign.

Third to the progressive Sterling Knight on his seasonal bow at Windsor, the son of Buratino went one place better on his next start in an even more competitive heat at Ascot and, with the seventh and tenth both going on to advertise the form since, a reproduction of that run alone would be good enough to see him a massive player here today. Add to the mix his excellent effort on the Knavesmire last time when he upheld the form with the likes of Latin Lover, Al Ameen and Justcallmepete and it’s clear the three-year-old chestnut remains in really good shape and with today’s stiff six-furlongs with a bit of give in the ground right in his wheelhouse, it would be a big disappointment if he wasn’t vying for top honours.

19:45 Thursday

George Gamble's Nations League Selection (Spain vs Portugal)

Spain and Portugal will get their 2022-23 Nations League campaign underway when they face off at Estadio Benito Villamarin in Seville. 

It’s always a tight affair when these two face one another as evident by the fact that the last four meetings between these two have finished all square. These games are an excellent opportunity for managers to experiment with formations and player personnel alike. 

Team news will be a big indicator of how this match is likely to play out but regardless, it should be a highly technical and fascinating encounter. With the World Cup looming, both of these sides will want to make the most of each friendly and so I’m still expecting a competitive game. As such, the first half could be quite cagey and I’d lean towards any deciding moments occurring in the second half.

Three of the last four meetings have seen things level at the interval and I’ll have a point on that being the case once again here.