15:40 Naas

The Des McDonogh trained VERBAL SPARRING (best priced at 15/2) has run two good races here and should prove hard to beat with J J Slevin taking over from a 7lb claimer. The five-year-old finished 2nd off a mark of 92 on heavy ground in February before falling when staying on well at the last off a mark of 94 a month ago.

On both occasions Verbal Sparring was ridden by Patrick O’Brien but with J J Slevin now on board, he is expected to run well with six places widely available. 

Verbal Sparring - 0.5pts e/w @ 15/2

16:15 Naas

HILLSDALE (best priced at 5/1) runs here off an 8lb higher mark than when getting off the mark here last time but if the hood works for a second time then he should prove hard to beat. The Philip Dempsey trained five-year-old had raced too keenly on his previous starts but settled well last time in a first time hood to win by two lengths over 2 miles here. 

Paul Townend is an eyecatching jockey booking as this will only be his sixth outside ride of the season from 278 rides and Hillsdale is expected to win off top weight over this trip of 2m3f. 

Hillsdale - 1pt @ 5/1

19:00 Wolverhampton

BELL SHOT (best priced at 11/4) won on his stable debut for Mick Appleby last time at Lingfield and he should prove hard to beat off a 4lb higher mark. The five-year-old had been running over 5f and 6f for Robert Cowell where he was 0-7 in his career but as a result he had dropped from a mark of 82 down to a mark of 65.

Bell Shot ran over 7f for the first time since September 2022 when winning by a length a fortnight ago when making all under Ali Rawlinson. He is still well handicapped on his old form off a mark of 69 and he should prove hard to beat from Stall 5. 

Bell Shot - 1pt @ 11/4