Pumbaa can make a successful return to hurdling in this evening’s third race on the Midlands National card at Kilbeggan.

Pat Smullen re-established a narrow lead (73-72) over Joseph O’Brien in the battle for the Jockeys Championship when completing a double for Dermot Weld on juveniles Bracing Breeze and Mouteab in Dundalk yesterday.

Reformed character Xsquared could have earned himself a trip to the Galway Festival after his easy victory at Fairyhouse on Wednesday night.