in touch in 4th, went 3rd after 7th, ridden and weakened after 4 out
led to 3rd, with leader, weakened from 4 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd from 6 out, mistake 5 out, not fluent 2 out, no impression
tracked leader, led 3rd, clear before 3 out, kept on well
The four-year-old AINSI FIDELES (NAP) is likely to start at short odds for this having won both starts so far over the larger obstacles. He was successful by 23 lengths over track and trip at the start of last month and the second has franked the form since. Minella Forfitness was a decent hurdler for Nicky Henderson a couple of years ago but has had his problems since and may take a while to show his best form for Charlie Pogson. The Society Man may be a bit out of his depth but Larteta and Mr Satco are interesting recruits if they adapt to fences.
Larteta (FR) 7-1 (11-5) Led, headed approaching 2nd, weakened 4 out, last of 6, 36l behind Dealing River (10-8) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Jul.
Minella Forfitness (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, jumped slowly 4th, blundered and slipped on landing 7th, no chance after, 8th of 9, well behind Irish Saint (11-5) at Ascot 2m 3f Ltd hcp hdl (1) hvy in Jan.
Mr Satco (IRE) 3-1 (11-9) Made most, jumped slowly 3rd, driven along bypassing omitted 2 out, idled in front but stayed on well and always doing enough, won at Cartmel 2m 5f beg chs (4) gf in Jul beating Fantasy King (11-9) by 5l, 7 ran.
The Society Man (IRE) 9-2 (10-0) Tracked leaders, effort on inside to lead narrowly approaching 3 out, hard driven flat, kept on, headed post, 2nd of 8, hd behind O'Callaghan Strand (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd.
Ainsi Fideles (FR) 1-2fav (10-13) Disputed lead early, tracked leader, led 11th, clear when mistake 3 out, kept on, very easily, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gf in Jul beating Harrys Whim (10-4) by 7l, 3 ran.
