chased leader, not always fluent, mistake 5th, one pace before 2 out, rallied and switched left after last, every chance after, just held
tracked leaders, not always fluent, led 2 out, edged right last, pressed flat, held on
jumped right and not fluent, led, keen until before 3rd, mistake 3 out, headed next, no impression flat
Jeanpascal made his UK debut in the Grade 2 Adonis Hurdle at Kempton last month but was soon struggling and eventually pulled up. Russian Bolero finished sixth in that race but had no chance before the final turn having made jumping errors. However, both will appreciate this drop in class and do get 7lb from the older SLOWFOOT. But Jim Best's entire, a decent performer on the Flat in Germany, looked a useful recruit to hurdling when making a winning start at Plumpton and should be up to the task. Callmenewtown scrambled home in a Kildorerry point-to-point last month but will be a big outsider in this.
Callmenewtown (IRE) 3-1 (12-2) Mid div, prog to 4th frm 8th, chall 4out & sn ld, hdd 3out, fought back last & ko best to ld 50 yards out, won at Kildorrery 3m ire ptp hvy in Feb beating Pops Choice (11-11) by nk, 8 ran.
Jeanpascal (FR) 20-1 (11-5) Went right and mistake 1st, held up towards rear, tailed off after 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Beltor (11-2) at Kempton 2m 4yo hdl Grade 2 (1) sft in Feb, 9 ran.
Russian Bolero (GER) 20-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, tailed off when mistake 3 out, no chance after, 6th of 9, 36l behind Beltor (11-2) at Kempton 2m 4yo hdl Grade 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Slowfoot (GER) 5-2 (11-2) Took keen hold early, tracked leader, led going well 2 out, ran green between last two, one reminder and forged clear final 150 yards, won at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Feb beating Keys (11-2) by 6l, 8 ran.