Qualitair Wings is the pick ahead of Piper General, Machinate and Baby Barry, with Magic Warrior also in with a shout. Qualitair Wings has been ultra-consistent over the past two months, one of his better efforts being a course and distance victory the time before last. He came from well off the pace that day but managed to get up, and ran a sound race off a six-pound higher mark when third at Lingfield a fortnight ago. He is still well treated compared to his Turf rating, so has to be on top of the short-list. Piper General did not beat much at Southwell last time but at least showed improvement and is worth noting when going hurdling which is the plan. Machinate has not shaped as though he handles the Polytrack on two previous visits here but was good enough to win on Turf at Catterick in September so cannot be left totally out of calculations. Baby Barry has more experience than most here but has yet to get his head in front on an artificial surface, while Magic Warrior has to try and turn Lingfield form around with the selection, which once again is Qualitair Wings.
Qualitair Wings 4-1 (9-4) Held up, headway on outside from 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, stayed on, 3rd of 14, 2l behind Ramsgill (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Piper General (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, soon ridden clear, won at Southwell 1m 4f mdn stk (5) fbs beating Silsong (8-4) by 12l, 12 ran.
Highliner 40-1 (8-4) Tracked leader and keen, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 13, 23l behind Platinum Charmer (8-1) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Magic Warrior 14-1 (9-1) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 14, 3l behind Ramsgill (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Barons Spy (IRE) 9-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden when not much room 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 13, 12l behind Western Roots (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Galley Law 25-1 (8-12) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on, never nearer, 5th of 10, 4l behind Gentle Peace (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Machinate (USA) 8-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 14, 13l behind Stevedore (9-1) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Baby Barry 9-2fav (8-13) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 13, 7l behind Western Roots (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
