Verdict

Etikaal bids for a hat-trick of course wins raised a further 5lb while course regular Billy Wedge is 6lb higher today having won here last month. Both are upped in class for this but PAPA STOUR went close in this grade on his first start since August and debut for Stuart Williams’ yard. That was also his first outing in a tongue-tie and a return to winning ways looks likely with improvement expected. Anif won over a mile here back in November and is preferred to Calin's Lad while Qaabil has had just the two outings for the Haggas yard and cannot be written off back in a handicap.

Formwatch

Paparazzi 20-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 24 3/4l behind Furzig (10-4) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Jul.

Papa Stour (USA) 10-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden and headed towards finish, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Vive La Difference (9-3) at Newcastle 1m hcp (5) pol in Dec.

Qaabil (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Raced keenly, prominent, went 2nd 6f out until 5f out, chased leaders, every chance 2f out, soon chasing winner, held when lost 2nd inside final furlong, weakened into 4th towards finish, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Godhead (9-5) at Kempton 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.

Thaayer 8-1 (9-6) Close up, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 14, 7 1/4l behind Vive La Difference (9-3) at Newcastle 1m hcp (5) pol in Dec.

Etikaal 2-1fav (9-6) In rear, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newcastle 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Zebulon (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.

Elusive Heights (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Held up behind, headway over 2f out, soon chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd near finish, no impression, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Home Before Dusk (9-10) at Newcastle 1m hcp (5) pol in Oct.

Silver Dust (IRE) 11-2fav (9-6) Slowly into stride, towards rear,, 8th of 14, 7 3/4l behind Private Matter (9-6) at Southwell 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.

Calin's Lad 11-4 (9-12) Keen tracked leaders, lost place over 3f out, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 10, nk behind Steal The Scene (9-9) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.

Billy Wedge Evensfav (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway stand side 2f out, led approaching final furlong, ridden and ran on, won at Newcastle 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Tarnhelm (8-11) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.

Anif (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, headway to challenge towards far side over 1f out, led 1f out, soon ridden, edged right and kept on inside final furlong, won at Newcastle 1m hcp (5) pol in Nov beating Ascot Week (9-5) by 1l, 14 ran.

Blindingly (GER) 15-2 (9-3) Held up in touch, outpaced over 2f out, soon lost place, 6th of 7, 14 1/4l behind First Response (9-3) at Newcastle 1m stks (5) pol in Oct.