16:12 Lingfield

Wednesday 25 February 2026

All13:1213:4214:1214:4215:1215:4216:1216:42

Read Meg Nicholls' Blog At betmgm.co.uk Classified Stakes

Off time: 16:12 | Winning time: 1m 38.11s

(10)

Back Before Dark⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Jude Fernandes⁽⁷⁾| T: A Irvine| OR: 47

50/1

Has run badly last 2 starts and sold from Grant Tuer for just 1,000 gns since latest. Also has stamina to prove up in trip.

Form: 34020-5

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(4)

First Encounter^b¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: L Morris| T: J Gallagher| OR: 49| BF| D

15/8

Capitalised on drop into this grade when winning classified stakes at Wolverhampton last month and confirmed return to form when second in similar event over C&D (6/4F) 2 weeks ago, headed only in dying strides. Likely to make another bold bid.

Form: 24-8612

(5)

Iftikhaar^v²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: Jonny Peate| T: J R Jenkins| OR: 48| D

12/1

Returned to form from out of the blue when second of 9 in classified stakes over 10f here last month and not far off that level when fifth of 8 in similar race (8/1) 10 days later. Just as effective at this shorter trip.

Form: 1088-25

(1)

Monks Mead¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: George Bass| T: M D I Usher| OR: 49| BF| C| D

7/2

Gained a narrow success in classified stakes here (10f) last month. Left poorly placed in similar events next 2 starts and can figure again kept to this level.

Form: 34-5124

(7)

Nicely Curved^h,t¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Rob Hornby| T: Hayley Burton| OR: 50

9/4

Failed to win in the US but went close starting out for this yard when never-nearer second of 8 in classified stakes over C&D (7/1) 2 weeks ago after 6 months off. Entitled to come on for that so not taken lightly.

Form: 6737/9-2

(2)

Pyrrhic Dancer^b⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: Gina Mangan| T: G Brown| OR: 45

16/1

Showed he still retains ability on second start back from an absence when fourth at Wolverhampton but didn't look straightforward back down to this level there last month and headgear goes back on.

Form: 113/04-6

(6)

Spirit Charmer¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Charles Bishop| T: P R Chamings| OR: 47

20/1

Remains a maiden after 14 starts. Better for comeback run when third of 8 in similar event over C&D (66/1) 2 weeks ago, running right up to her best. Bit to find with the principals here, though.

Form: 3006-63

(8)

Unknown Journey¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: William Carson| T: A W Carroll| OR: 45

12/1

Maiden who's likely to struggle on these terms judged on recent form.

Form: 699-735

Non-Runners

(9)

Man Is King²

Weight: 9-9| Age: 7

T: D Flood J: Non Runner

(3)

Saved Lizzie¹⁴

Weight: 9-9| Age: 6

T: J Butler J: S D Bowen

Forecasts

First Encounter (15/8), Nicely Curved (9/4), Monks Mead (7/2), Man Is King (6/1), Unknown Journey (12/1), Iftikhaar (12/1), Saved Lizzie (12/1), Pyrrhic Dancer (16/1), Spirit Charmer (20/1), Back Before Dark (50/1)

FIRST ENCOUNTER has proved a force since dropped to this level and looks the one to beat. Monks Mead hasn't been seen to best effect since winning over further here last month so is a potential threat if things drop right, while Nicely Curved showed enough on stable debut to believe she can win a lowly race in Britain.