16:12 Lingfield 25 Feb 2026
Read Meg Nicholls' Blog At betmgm.co.uk Classified Stakes
Class 6 | 4YO plus
Winner £3,140 - 10 declared to run
Standard (AW - Polytrack)
Draw Advantage: None
Forecast: Mostly sunny
Temperature: 7.9° - 15.2°
Rainfall: none
Wind: 4.5 mph S
Last Update: 24/02/2026 17:00x
- Winner
- Top 2 Finish
- Top 3 Finish
- W/O First Encounter
- W/O First Encounter And Nicely Curved
- W/O Nicely Curved
- Top 4 Finish
Bookies best price percentage = 116.24%
AT THE RACES is not liable for any services or information offered or provided by its bookmaker partners. Please note: Whilst every effort is made to ensure odds and information are up to date and correct, differences between these and actual odds/information available from bookmakers at time of placing a bet may occur.
Disappointing in first-time blinkers when beaten 5 1/4l in a classified race at Wolverhampton last time; wide draw and off a short break. Suited by 5/6f; bounce back needed and big stamina concerns.
A winner at 6f, but that win was over two years ago. Finished 5l behind Rogue De Vega when fifth of 8 at 10-1 on her latest outing at Wolverhampton over 5f last month. Having her first run for a new stable today, previously with Grant Tuer.
Disappointing in first-time blinkers when beaten 5 1/4l in a classified race at Wolverhampton last time; wide draw and off a short break. Suited by 5/6f; bounce back needed and big stamina concerns.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Flat Races | 17 | 1 | 3 | 5.9% | |
| Flat (AW) | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Similar Going | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 16 | 1 | 3 | 6.3% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 6 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Jude Fernandes | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | A Irvine | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Ran to form when second, beaten a neck, in a classified race here latest. Effective over 8-10f; back in form and should remain competitive.
He has won four times from 1m to 1m 2f including 2 wins on the all-weather (1 PO). Beaten a neck by Rosemary's Rose when second of 7 at 6-4fav on his latest outing over this course and distance earlier this month.
Ran to form when second, beaten a neck, in a classified race here latest. Effective over 8-10f; back in form and should remain competitive.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Flat Races | 33 | 4 | 6 | 12.1% | |
| Flat (AW) | 11 | 2 | 3 | 18.2% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| CD | Course and Distance | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| C | Course | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| D | Distance | 18 | 2 | 5 | 11.1% |
| G | Similar Going | 8 | 1 | 3 | 12.5% |
| S | Surface(Polytrack) | 9 | 1 | 3 | 11.1% |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (B only) | 9 | 2 | 3 | 22.2% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 6 | 30 | 4 | 6 | 13.3% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | L Morris | 3 | 1 | 1 | 33.3% |
| T | J Gallagher | 33 | 4 | 6 | 12.1% |
| BF Was beaten favourite last time out | |||||
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Ran to form when beaten 3l in a classified race here last time. Effective over 8-10f; unreliable but capable on these terms.
A winner at 1m on polytrack. Finished 2 1/2l behind Al Baahy when fifth of 8 at 8-1 on his latest outing here over 1m 2f last month.
Ran to form when beaten 3l in a classified race here last time. Effective over 8-10f; unreliable but capable on these terms.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Flat Races | 35 | 1 | 7 | 2.9% | |
| Flat (AW) | 30 | 1 | 5 | 3.3% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| CD | Course and Distance | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| C | Course | 14 | 0 | 4 | 0% |
| D | Distance | 6 | 1 | 1 | 16.7% |
| G | Similar Going | 28 | 1 | 5 | 3.6% |
| S | Surface(Polytrack) | 20 | 1 | 4 | 5% |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (V only) | 10 | 1 | 2 | 10% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 6 | 30 | 1 | 6 | 3.3% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Jonny Peate | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| T | J R Jenkins | 31 | 1 | 6 | 3.2% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Did not stay the longer trip when down the field in a handicap here most recently; wide draw. Effective over 8-11f and the drop back in trip is a plus.
A winner at 1m 2f on polytrack. Third of 9 behind Hijo De La Luna beaten 1/2l at 9-4fav on his latest outing at Wolverhampton over 1m 1f earlier this month.
Did not stay the longer trip when down the field in a handicap here most recently; wide draw. Effective over 8-11f and the drop back in trip is a plus.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Flat Races | 44 | 1 | 7 | 2.3% | |
| Flat (AW) | 23 | 1 | 6 | 4.4% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| D | Distance | 16 | 0 | 5 | 0% |
| G | Similar Going | 23 | 1 | 6 | 4.4% |
| S | Surface(Polytrack) | 22 | 1 | 5 | 4.6% |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (T only) | 12 | 0 | 6 | 0% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 50% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Non Runner | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | D Flood | 3 | 1 | 1 | 33.3% |
| BF Was beaten favourite last time out | |||||
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Flattened out late but ran to form when fourth, beaten 3l, in a classified race at Chelmsford latest. Effective over 7-10f and the drop back in trip is a plus; can go well again.
He has won three times from 7f to 1m 2f including 2 wins on polytrack. Finished 2 1/2l behind Man Is King when fourth of 7 at 3-1co-fav on his latest outing at Chelmsford City over 1m 2f earlier this month.
Flattened out late but ran to form when fourth, beaten 3l, in a classified race at Chelmsford latest. Effective over 7-10f and the drop back in trip is a plus; can go well again.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Flat Races | 33 | 3 | 10 | 9.1% | |
| Flat (AW) | 14 | 2 | 1 | 14.3% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| C | Course | 7 | 1 | 1 | 14.3% |
| D | Distance | 21 | 1 | 8 | 4.8% |
| G | Similar Going | 13 | 1 | 1 | 7.7% |
| S | Surface(Polytrack) | 15 | 3 | 1 | 20% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 30 | 3 | 10 | 10% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 6 | 27 | 3 | 10 | 11.1% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | George Bass | 11 | 1 | 4 | 9.1% |
| T | M D I Usher | 33 | 3 | 10 | 9.1% |
| BF Was beaten favourite last time out | |||||
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Had a wide trip but finished strongly up in trip on British debut when second, beaten a neck, in a classified race here latest. Should come on for that run. Effective over 8f; of interest in this with likely strong pace a plus.
Placed twice in ten starts. Beaten a neck by Angelica K when second of 8 at 7-1 on her latest outing over this course and distance earlier this month.
Had a wide trip but finished strongly up in trip on British debut when second, beaten a neck, in a classified race here latest. Should come on for that run. Effective over 8f; of interest in this with likely strong pace a plus.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Flat Races | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0% | |
| Flat (AW) | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| CD | Course and Distance | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| C | Course | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| D | Distance | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| G | Similar Going | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| S | Surface(Polytrack) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Headgear | |||||
| HG | Today (T & H) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| HG | Hood | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Rob Hornby | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | Hayley Burton | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Every chance but below form when beaten 5l in a classified race at Wolverhampton last time. Suited by 8-10f; best form largely on AW and his form has been in and out since a lay-off.
He has won three times at 1m 1f on the all-weather, but last win was over two years ago. Finished 5l behind Eagles Whistle when sixth of 9 at 6-1 on his latest outing at Wolverhampton over 1m 1f last month.
Every chance but below form when beaten 5l in a classified race at Wolverhampton last time. Suited by 8-10f; best form largely on AW and his form has been in and out since a lay-off.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Flat Races | 20 | 3 | 1 | 15% | |
| Flat (AW) | 16 | 3 | 1 | 18.8% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| Course and Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Course | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Distance | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| G | Similar Going | 15 | 3 | 1 | 20% |
| Surface(Polytrack) | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (B only) | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 6 | 17 | 3 | 1 | 17.7% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Gina Mangan | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| T | G Brown | 17 | 3 | 1 | 17.7% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Continued in poor form when beaten 5l in a handicap at Southwell last time. Suited by 7/8f; still a maiden and in moderate form.
Placed in four of 17 starts. Finished 5l behind Hint Of The Jungle when sixth of 9 at 33-1 on her latest outing at Southwell over 7f earlier this month. Having her first run for a new stable today, previously with Darryll Holland.
Continued in poor form when beaten 5l in a handicap at Southwell last time. Suited by 7/8f; still a maiden and in moderate form.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Flat Races | 19 | 0 | 4 | 0% | |
| Flat (AW) | 12 | 0 | 3 | 0% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| CD | Course and Distance | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| C | Course | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| D | Distance | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| G | Similar Going | 11 | 0 | 3 | 0% |
| S | Surface(Polytrack) | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 23 | 0 | 4 | 0% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 6 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 0% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | S D Bowen | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| T | J Butler | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Ran to form when 2l third in a classified race here most recently. Effective over 6-8f; not one to rely on building on that latest effort.
Placed twice in 14 starts. Third of 8 behind Angelica K beaten 1 3/4l at 66-1 on her latest outing over this course and distance earlier this month.
Ran to form when 2l third in a classified race here most recently. Effective over 6-8f; not one to rely on building on that latest effort.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Flat Races | 14 | 0 | 2 | 0% | |
| Flat (AW) | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| CD | Course and Distance | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| C | Course | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| D | Distance | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| G | Similar Going | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| S | Surface(Polytrack) | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 6 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | Charles Bishop | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| T | P R Chamings | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Hung under pressure and looked awkward when beaten 6l in a classified race here last time; represents a top course trainer and has a wide draw. Effective over 8-10f but needs more to get off the mark.
Placed once in 19 starts. Finished 6l behind Rosemary's Rose when fifth of 7 at 5-1 on his latest outing over this course and distance earlier this month.
Hung under pressure and looked awkward when beaten 6l in a classified race here last time; represents a top course trainer and has a wide draw. Effective over 8-10f but needs more to get off the mark.
| Race Record | Runs | Wins | Places | Win Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Flat Races | 19 | 0 | 1 | 0% | |
| Flat (AW) | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0% | |
| Conditions | |||||
| CD | Course and Distance | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| C | Course | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| D | Distance | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| G | Similar Going | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| S | Surface(Polytrack) | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Headgear | |||||
| Today (No Headgear) | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0% | |
| Class & Handicap Rating | |||||
| Cl | Class 6 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| This Handicap (OR) or Higher | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Connections | |||||
| J | William Carson | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| T | A W Carroll | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
-
Grey = Horse has placed form
-
Blue = Horse has winning form
-
Gold = Horse has a 50% or better win record
Verdict
NICELY CURVED made an encouraging start for the Hayley Burton yard when touched off over track and trip earlier in the month and now has Rob Hornby on board. With a similar performance, the six-year-old will prove a tough nut to crack. First Encounter finished two lengths clear of the third when just failing in his bid for a double over C&D on his latest outing and is likely to be on the premises again. Spirit Charmer is another to note.
Expert View Verdict
In form First Encounter looks well treated returned to handicaps and holds obvious claims. His stamina could come into play in what looks likely to be a strongly run race but narrow preference is for NICELY CURVED who caught the eye flying home after a wide trip over C&D on her stable debut. She ran at a much higher level in the US and should prove much better than this basement mark. Monks Mead has been running well recently and his latest effort suggests this drop back in trip will suit so he is also of interest.
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Race Record
| Distance | Record Time |
|---|---|
| 1m 1y | 1:33.17 |