Racecards
15:15 Newbury
Muppet Stakes (Showcase Handicap) (Class D)
- 12 Runners
- Distance: 1m
- Going: Good to Firm, Firm in places
![Silk - Aquamarine, Black cap Silk - Aquamarine, Black cap](https://e0.365dm.com/racing/tsilks/5241.png)
- Form 500012
- Age 4
- Weight 9-10
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey G Duffield
led, ridden when headed 3f out, weakened
![Silk - Light Blue, White cross belts, hooped sleeves Silk - Light Blue, White cross belts, hooped sleeves](https://e0.365dm.com/racing/tsilks/14549.png)
Cloud Dancer
17- Form 2/0261-0
- Age 4
- Weight 9-9
- Trainer D Coakley
- Jockey Willie Supple
held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 2f out, ridden to chase leaders soon after, ran on to have every chance inside final furlong, no extra close home
![Silk - Dark Green, Orange seams, Orange cap Silk - Dark Green, Orange seams, Orange cap](https://e0.365dm.com/racing/tsilks/3061.png)
Invader
8- Form 400602
- Age 7
- Weight 9-9
- Trainer C E Brittain
- Jockey B Doyle
in touch, ridden over 3f out and weakened
![Silk - White, Royal Blue chevron, chevrons on sleeves, Red cap Silk - White, Royal Blue chevron, chevrons on sleeves, Red cap](https://e0.365dm.com/racing/tsilks/9032.png)
Lifted Way
16- Form 0262-56
- Age 4
- Weight 9-8
- Trainer P Chamings
- Jockey J Fortune
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2f out, weakened soon after
![Silk - Dark Blue, Yellow star, hooped sleeves and star on cap Silk - Dark Blue, Yellow star, hooped sleeves and star on cap](https://e0.365dm.com/racing/tsilks/17065.png)
Bond Diamond
13- Form 10-1040
- Age 6
- Weight 9-8
- Trainer P R Webber
- Jockey Richard Hughes
held up and steadied in rear, ridden and rapid headway to burst through, not clear run approaching final furlong, not recover
![Silk - Emerald Green and Yellow diamonds, Emerald Green and White halved sleeves Silk - Emerald Green and Yellow diamonds, Emerald Green and White halved sleeves](https://e0.365dm.com/racing/tsilks/1855.png)
- Form 060020
- Age 9
- Weight 9-7
- Trainer P Howling
- Jockey J P Spencer
steadied start and held up, ridden and headway from 2f out, led well inside final furlong, ridden out
![Silk - Black and White stripes, Red and White striped sleeves and striped cap Silk - Black and White stripes, Red and White striped sleeves and striped cap](https://e0.365dm.com/racing/tsilks/3507.png)
Contractor
58- Form 0231-2
- Age 3
- Weight 9-2
mid-division, steady headway to lead 3f out, soon ridden, headed well inside
![Silk - White, Purple sash and sleeves, White and Purple quartered cap Silk - White, Purple sash and sleeves, White and Purple quartered cap](https://e0.365dm.com/racing/tsilks/2225.png)
Mush (IRE)
26- Form 231240
- Age 6
- Weight 9-2
- Trainer N P Littmoden
- Jockey I Mongan
mid-division, ridden approaching 2f out, hampered over 1f out, weakened
![Silk - Pink, Black chevrons, Black sleeves, Pink cap Silk - Pink, Black chevrons, Black sleeves, Pink cap](https://e0.365dm.com/racing/tsilks/14750.png)
- Form 0-51302
- Age 4
- Weight 9-2
- Trainer D R C Elsworth
- Jockey Dane O'Neill
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, every chance final furlong, onepaced inside
![Silk - RED, YELLOW sash, striped sleeves and star on cap Silk - RED, YELLOW sash, striped sleeves and star on cap](https://e0.365dm.com/racing/tsilks/163.png)
- Form 0-03036
- Age 5
- Weight 9-2
- Trainer B R Millman
- Jockey E Ahern
prominent, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside
![Silk - White and Yellow (quartered), Yellow sleeves, Red cap Silk - White and Yellow (quartered), Yellow sleeves, Red cap](https://e0.365dm.com/racing/tsilks/2336.png)
- Form 01-1046
- Age 4
- Weight 8-13
- Trainer J Akehurst
- Jockey T Quinn
in touch, driven along over 3f out, soon weakened
![Silk - Grey, Maroon epaulets and cap Silk - Grey, Maroon epaulets and cap](https://e0.365dm.com/racing/tsilks/8599.png)
Pagan Prince
213- Form 210010-
- Age 6
- Weight 8-10
- Trainer J Toller
- Jockey Pat Eddery
held up mid-division, ridden approaching 1f out, switched right, ran on inside
In depth
Verdict
Atlantic Quest has his third outing in quick succession but those recent efforts may have left their mark and preference is for the Terry Mills-trained Contractor, who gets the vote over Woodland Spirit. Atlantic Quest bounced back to winning ways when beating, a seemingly reluctant, Tough Love in a classified stakes race at Musselburgh. Tim Easterby's gelding reversed form in emphatic fashion at Haydock last week and, off the same mark as then today, it is difficult to envisage seeing Atlantic Quest beating Contractor. The selection caught a tartar when finding just Naahy too good in a Newmarket handicap in April on his only previous start this term and, with the winner there having only just failed in the Listed Surrey Stakes at Epsom on Derby day, Contractor is taken to go one better off just a 1lb higher mark than at headquarters. Woodland Spirit showed improved form at Sandown last time and should again be thereabouts, while Pagan Prince from the in-form James Toller stable and Clive Brittain's Invader are others worthy of a mention but do not make as much appeal as the selection.