Lingfield - Wed 25 Feb 2026
Knight Of Magic relished a step up in trip when scoring over 1m6f at Wolverhampton and a 4lb penalty shouldn't prevent another bold bid. However, a drop back in distance may be enough to thwart the seven-year-old's follow-up attempt, with FRAVANCO taken to capitalise. Michael Madgwick's inmate returns from a stint over timber and his previous exertions on the all-weather give him leading claims. Starfighter is the pick of the remainder.
A winner at the seventh time of asking, the penny seemed to drop for Chelmsford scorer SOLAR INVINCIBLE. The form of that triumph reads well and a 4lb higher mark might not be enough to halt the Invincible Army gelding's progress. Life After Love broke through at Southwell and isn't taken lightly in her follow-up bid, with Havana Jag the most compelling of the remainder.
MOONSHINE did little wrong in two outings on turf last term and looks just the sort to improve as a three-year-old. The daughter of Starman is not expected to have any issues with Polytrack and a breakthrough victory could be on the cards. Numero Vingt shared the spoils at Chelmsford, but a penalty does demand more of Archie Watson's charge. With that in mind, a bigger threat may emerge from Southern Warrior, who has shown ability at Southwell.
SECOND COLLECTION built on a string of consistent efforts to score at Wolverhampton last week and a 4lb penalty doesn't appear likely to stop the 10-year-old from backing that performance up. Desdemona has been knocking on the door at this venue recently and has to enter the reckoning once again. Others for the shortlist include The Defiant and Street Life.
Global Warning (second) finished ahead of Tam Lin (third) when the pair met over C&D earlier in the month, but it won't be a huge surprise if the latter is able to reverse the placings on 2lb better terms. However, the vote goes to KONDRATIEV WAVE. The nine-year-old has been running with plenty of credit in recent months and this appears to be a suitable opportunity for him to get his head back in front.
MINTANA gained her first success for a while in a classified event over C&D on her latest start. The return to handicap company is unlikely to stop her from going in again, especially in a contest where all of her rivals have plenty to prove on recent evidence. Mount Mogan finished second off this mark here over a mile in November and may prove to be the strongest threat. Fort Augustus heads the remainder.
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.
Profit Street appreciated the step back up in trip when scoring over 7f here on his most recent start, but is versatile and should mount another bold bid. Dark Sun was just denied off a 1lb higher mark at Wolverhampton and is considered, but WATERMELON SUGAR hit the woodwork over track and trip last month and, with Jamie Spencer booked, he could be the one to beat.
Knight Of Magic is likely to prove popular here following his excellent recent run of form and the fact he has a top amateur booked. However he now meets veteran STARFIGHTER on 12lb worse terms than when defeating him by just a head last month so he may struggle to confirm that form. The selection is not as good as he was but he has been running into form at a slightly lower level than this and looks on a generous mark returned to handicaps. His main threat may come from Charles Morin who may find this trip on the sharp enough side now but he will certainly be more comfortable over it than when he raced over just 1m last time. He had been in good form over staying distances prior to that and looks competitively weighted.
A pair of standouts here in Solar Invincible and LIFE AFTER LOVE. The top weight is respected as his jockey's claim more than offsets the 4lb he has gone up for winning over 5f on the AW last time. However it is the filly who is preferred having shown the benefit of to the minimum trip when off the mark last time. She's only gone up 3lb for that and this track should suit her run style. Rosieisme Darling failed to stay 6f last time but was in good form prior to that so may fare best of the remainder back over her optimum distance.
MOONSHINE was a touch disappointing given market expectations last time but she still sets a clear standard on form and should be tough to beat on her return from a break. The drop back in trip won't be an issue given she placed in a hot maiden first time out over 6f on the turf and she should be able to defeat Numero Vingt who made a winning reappearance on his AW debut. He will provide the main threat but will need to improve to defy a penalty. Mayflyer is likely to want further than this in time but the track could bring her stamina into play and see her on the podium.
DESDEMONA has placed off similar marks at this venue on her last couple of outings and she looks set to gain a first victory since her 2yo days here. The form of her recent runner up effort has been boosted by the winner and she should appreciate this slight drop back in trip. Her biggest threats may be a couple of veterans who have sparked into life recently in Street Life and Second Collection. Both remain very well treated on their best form and the latter snapped a long losing run last time.
GLOBAL WARNING has been running into form recently and could end his long losing run. He's 6lb below his last winning mark which came over C&D and he should get a good pace to aim at from veteran Kondratiev Wave. That rival is another without a victory in a while but he does arrive on the back of a number of placed efforts off similar marks so should remain competitive. Perhaps the biggest danger though is Porfin who chased home an in form rival last time off 1lb higher and will appreciate this step back up in trip. His good course record suggests he will also be on the premises.
MINTANA proved her stamina for 7f with a C&D victory last time and looks well treated returned to handicaps so is fancied to follow up. Her previous runner up effort has been boosted since by the winner and she has won off higher than this in the past. Multiple C&D winner Mount Mogan has become frustrating recently but she's well treated on her narrow autumn defeat here so may prove the biggest challenge. Modest maiden Miraflores showed a bit more behind the selection over C&D last time and may follow the pair home at a respectable distance.
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.
WATERMELON SUGAR can continue his excellent course record. The top weight was unlucky not to follow up here last time as he was repeatedly denied a run at a key stage before flying home. Racing off just 1lb higher with a top jockey booked he can defeat Just Jump who starts out for his new stable off what looks a generous mark based on his Irish form. Stepping back up in trip will be a big positive and he can fill the places with Dark Sun who just failed to reel in an all the way winner who was racking up a sequence last time.
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