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

1^st

(4)

First Encounter

59-9

15/8f

T: J GallagherJ: L Morris

Took keen hold, led, headed after 2f, shaken up to lead over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on, always doing enough op 2/1

2^nd

(8)

Unknown Journey

49-9

12/1

T: A W CarrollJ: William Carson

In touch with leaders, ridden along over 1f out, went second and chased leader inside final furlong, held towards finish tchd 11/1

3^rd

1 ½

(1)

Monks Mead

59-9

7/2

T: M D I UsherJ: George Bass

Tracked leaders on inner, short of room when shaken up 2f out, outpaced over 1f out, went third inside final furlong, ran on op 4/1

4^th

(6)

Spirit Charmer

59-9

20/1

T: P R ChamingsJ: Charles Bishop

Mounted in chute, taken down early wearing hood, held up in rear, waiting for room 2f out, ridden and outpaced over 1f out, kept on well and went fourth inside final furlong, not trouble leaders op 16/1

5^th

(2)

Pyrrhic Dancer

79-9

16/1

T: G BrownJ: Gina Mangan

Dwelt start, soon pushed along and prominent, led after 2f, ridden and headed over 2f out, faded gradually from over 1f out tchd 14/1

6^th

(5)

Iftikhaar

79-9

12/1

T: J R JenkinsJ: Jonny Peate

Slowly away, held up in rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, made no telling impression op 9/1

7^th

(7)

Nicely Curved

69-9

9/4

T: Hayley BurtonJ: Rob Hornby

Midfield on outer, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out tchd 2/1

8^th

1 ¼

(10)

Back Before Dark

59-9

50/1

T: A IrvineJ: Jude Fernandes (7)

In touch, pushed along out wide 3f out, weakened over 1f out tchd 40/1 and tchd 66/1

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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

Betting Breakdown

Tote Win:£2.88Pl:£1.30, £2.90, £1.10EX:£28.60Trifecta:£121.30SF:£26.20Swingers:£4.40, £2.10, £5.00

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.