February 25 / 16.12 Lingfield (AW)

16.12

Standard

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

  • Prize money: £3140.4
  • 1m 0f 1y
  • Class 6
  • 8 runners
SKY
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Read Meg Nicholls’ Blog At betmgm.co.uk Classified Stakes

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Polytrack

Weather: Mostly sunny

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.88
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 4-8612 D BF

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
Successful in this grade at Wolverhampton last month (8.6f) and backed it up with a solid C&D second two weeks ago; no obvious reason why he wouldn't be in the thick of the action once again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

11

(2)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 6

20:25 Doncaster

First Encounter

8st 11lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: John Gallagher

Both turf wins have been at 1m on good to firm; has won twice in blinkers on AW this year; although not in top form last twice, these conditions are ideal and could go well on this return to turf.

8/1

4th

1

(6)

7th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

18:40 Wolverhampton (AW)

First Encounter

9st 9lb

J: Luke Morris

T: John Gallagher

Won twice at this level earlier in the year, including C&D; finished behind Gloriola when fifth over C&D three weeks ago; should give a good account.

6/1

5th

3

(6)

16th Jun 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

19:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

First Encounter

9st 9lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: John Gallagher

Serial hard-puller who won a 0-50 over C&D in the winter and has held his form well; not beaten far in handicaps on last two outings and may have needed it last time after a break; one to consider.

10/1

16/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 99-735

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
0-19; fair third in a C&D handicap on his penultimate start but finished 5.5l behind First Encounter here last time; wait for an elusive first success set to continue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

9

(4)

29th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 216y

Class 6

15:52 Brighton

Unknown Journey

9st 0lb

J: William Carson

T: Tony Carroll

0-23 and after going close in a Lingfield classified in February he's been way off that in three subsequent starts, including when tailed off last time.

16/1

11th

8

(8)

29th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 6

17:15 Southwell (AW)

Unknown Journey

9st 2lb

J: William Carson

T: Tony Carroll

Frustrating type (0-22 overall; 0-15 for Tony Carroll) and the fitting of a hood (retained here) saw no upturn at Kempton five weeks ago.

20/1

8th

7

(5)

25th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:30 Kempton (AW)

Unknown Journey

9st 3lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Tony Carroll

21-race maiden; returned to form with a close second in classified event at Lingfield (1m) last month but he failed to back that up at Wolverhampton two weeks ago; hood is now added and he needs to bounce back again after that last run.

8/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 4-5124 C BF

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
1m2f win here last month has been followed by good efforts back here and at Chelmsford (behind Man Is King); returning to a mile unlikely to be a problem and he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

(8)

13th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

19:40 Lingfield (AW)

Monks Mead

9st 9lb

J: George Bass

T: Mark Usher

Dual AW winner who was placed on turf here (1m2f) last month but he flopped on his drop back to 1m at Bath (started slowly) 12 days ago; needs to bounce back after that and he's probably more potent over longer trips these days.

12/1

10th

8

(3)

1st Jul 2026

Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

19:43 Bath

Monks Mead

9st 9lb

J: Tyler Heard

T: Mark Usher

Form figures in classified company read 35124323 but he might be tapped for toe back at 1m this evening.

9/2

3rd

4

(12)

18th Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

18:00 Lingfield

Monks Mead

9st 9lb

J: George Bass

T: Mark Usher

Doesn't win very often (3-36) but has two wins at this track, the latest a similar event (1m2f, AW) in January; has run creditably since until taking a dip when eighth of 15 at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm) last month on his return to turf; has the form to run well here if putting his best foot forward.

8/1

Form: 006-63

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Low-grade maiden but he ran as well as he ever has when third in a similar C&D event 15 days ago (1.5l behind Nicely Curved); wouldn't be sure to be in the same form a second time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

12

(1)

25th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:52 Lingfield (AW)

Spirit Charmer

9st 9lb

J: William Cox

T: Patrick Chamings

In good form of late and again looked worth another try at this longer trip when just behind Monks Mead over 1m here four weeks ago; had plenty of chances now though.

20/1

4th

9

(6)

25th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

16:12 Lingfield (AW)

Spirit Charmer

9st 9lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Patrick Chamings

Low-grade maiden but he ran as well as he ever has when third in a similar C&D event 15 days ago (1.5l behind Nicely Curved); wouldn't be sure to be in the same form a second time.

14/1

3rd

6

(3)

10th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

14:48 Lingfield (AW)

Spirit Charmer

9st 9lb

J: William Cox

T: Patrick Chamings

Never figured in a 7f classified race here a month ago on return from a break; that was won by Tilsworth Max; unfavoured by the weights.

40/1

16/1

Form: 3/04-6

Last run: 44 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 45

Form & Verdict
Over two years since his last win but he has only had seven runs (three over hurdles) since his Wolverhampton success in January 2024; this winter's efforts need bettering and he ran poorly when tried in blinkers once in the past.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

(12)

14th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

17:30 Southwell (AW)

Pyrrhic Dancer

10st 8lb

J: Mr Lewis Kent

T: Gary Brown

Patchy since returning from almost a year off and it's a long time since he went this far; yard been dry for a while and others hold more pressing claims.

16/1

5th

7

(2)

25th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

16:12 Lingfield (AW)

Pyrrhic Dancer

9st 9lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Gary Brown

Over two years since his last win but he has only had seven runs (three over hurdles) since his Wolverhampton success in January 2024; this winter's efforts need bettering and he ran poorly when tried in blinkers once in the past.

16/1

8

(8)

23rd Sep 2025

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

14:15 Lingfield (AW)

Pyrrhic Dancer

9st 3lb

J: George Bass

T: Gary Brown

Hat-trick and good third to Port Noir last four Flat starts; not seen for nearly a year but his ability to get the job done counts for a lot in this; market can guide.

8/1

OUR TIP

8/1

Form: 088-25 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 48

Form & Verdict
Chased home Monks Mead in a similar event (1m2f) here last month; another fair effort ten days later and dropping back to a mile shouldn't hinder him; strike-rate of 1-36 does temper enthusiasm though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

13

(4)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Leicester

Iftikhaar

8st 10lb

J: Harry Davies

T: J R Jenkins

Back to form with a near-miss at Lingfield (1m2f, AW) in January but he's taken backward steps in two runs since; overall record is now 1-37 and others are preferred.

33/1

6th

3

(5)

25th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

16:12 Lingfield (AW)

Iftikhaar

9st 9lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: J R Jenkins

Chased home Monks Mead in a similar event (1m2f) here last month; another fair effort ten days later and dropping back to a mile shouldn't hinder him; strike-rate of 1-36 does temper enthusiasm though.

8/1

Form: 4020-5

Last run: 54 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 47

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent for former stable and hasn't added to her maiden win back in June 2023; unraced at further than 7f (tailed off in on attempt) but pedigree offers hope she will stay.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(3)

5th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

16:33 Lingfield (AW)

Back Before Dark

8st 10lb

J: William Carson

T: Andy Irvine

A fair 6f winner at her best but she ended her time with Grant Tuer below par and came in last of eight for her new yard over C&D eight days ago; she's not easy to make a case for.

33/1

8th

1

(10)

25th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 6

16:12 Lingfield (AW)

Back Before Dark

9st 9lb

J: Jude Fernandes

T: Andy Irvine

Inconsistent for former stable and hasn't added to her maiden win back in June 2023; unraced at further than 7f (tailed off in on attempt) but pedigree offers hope she will stay.

33/1

Form: 37/9-2

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 50

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Non-runners

Man Is King, Saved Lizzie

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £28.60
Straight Forecast £26.20
Trifecta £121.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

First Encounter

NEWMARKET:

Nicely Curved

POSTDATA:

Monks Mead

The Times:

Unknown Journey

RP RATINGS:

First Encounter

The Guardian:

First Encounter

Daily Mail:

First Encounter

The Star:

First Encounter

Daily Mirror:

Monks Mead

Telegraph:

Nicely Curved

D Express:

Nicely Curved

The Sun:

Nicely Curved

Daily Record:

Nicely Curved