mid-division, ridden after 4 out, weakened and tailed off after 3 out
towards rear throughout, tailed off after 4 out
tracked leader in 2nd, joined leader 5 out, disputed the lead 4 out, ridden and outpaced when headed 3 out, one-paced in 3rd 2 out, lost third after the last but rallied and stayed on well to regain the position dying strides
led, joined 5 out, disputed lead 4 out, upped tempo and led 3 out, pushed along when pressed 2 out, soon headed and chased leader run to the last, 2nd at the last but weakened final 110 yards
mid-division, niggled along slightly after the 7th rounding the paddock bend, headway to chase leading pair 4 out, further progress 3 out, pressed leader 2 out and soon led, not fluent last, ridden and kept on run-in
held up towards rear, some headway when ridden after 2 out, stayed on strongly after the last, went second final 110 yards, unable to catch winner
Placed twice off this mark earlier in the campaign, Away For Slates took advantage of some generous handicapping here nine days ago and a quick double is not out of the question if he shows the same resolution. WENCESLAUS’ recent form figures are slightly off-putting but he hasn’t raced off a mark this low since scoring easily at Plumpton last season and his young rider claims a further 7lb. Postman has hinted at ability over fences and a case can also be made for Celtic Joy in a race like this.
Celtic Joy (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, pushed along before 2 out, soon beaten, 4th of 6, 31 1/2l behind Awake At Midnight (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Wenceslaus (GER) 28-1 (11-0) Well in rear, jumped slowly 4th and next, outpaced 6th, tailed off 9th, pulled up before 2 out, at Sandown 2m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Billy's Angel (IRE) 18-1 (11-2) Towards rear, ridden in remote 3rd 3 out, never a factor, 3rd of 5, dist behind Fire Away (11-9) at Catterick 2m hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Elisezmoi (FR) 14-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, not much room 4th, not fluent 6th, headway 10th, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before last, at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Away For Slates (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Disputed lead, jumped right 1st, led outright 4th, joined again 5th, led 8th, ridden 3 out, clear leader 2 out, narrow advantage last, headed flat, rallied to lead final strides, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) gs in Mar beating Demopolis (11-10) by hd, 6 ran.
Postman (FR) 7-2 (11-11) Close up, chased leader 8th, ridden 3 out, poor 3rd when fell last, at Fakenham 2m hcp (5) sft in Feb.
