Verdict

Paphos bids for a hat-trick but comes up against much higher rated rivals in this including Ertikaan. However, the latter has something to prove on only his second start over a mile and Tornado Force moves in the opposite direction as he's been doing his winning over 1m4f of late. It could pay to stick with the veteran and multiple C&D winner RED SOMERSET here as Mike Murphy's charge returned a seven length winner at Wolverhampton on Monday and is taken to go in again.

Formwatch

Tornado Force (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Mid-division, driven and lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 16l behind Royal Peculiar (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.

Ertikaan (9-6) 7th of 16, 8l behind Birthday Sun (8-12) at Deauville(FR) 6f clm stks fbs.

Red Somerset (USA) Evensfav (9-0) Chased leaders, led 2f out, drew clear inside final furlong, easily, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f sell stks (6) pol beating Jack Who's He (8-13) by 7l, 4 ran.

The Mongoose 9-4fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace over 1f out, 4th of 7, 5l behind Golden Desert (9-4) at Kempton 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.

McConnell (USA) 40-1 (8-11) Held up behind, outpaced over 2f out, never dangerous, 8th of 9, 20l behind Beautiful Day (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.

Paphos 4-5fav (8-2) Ridden from start to chase leader, led inside final 3f, ridden well over 1f out, held on gamely close home, all out, won at Lingfield 7f 4yo clm stks 0-70 (6) pol beating Restless Bay (8-7) by shd, 4 ran.