Trainer Harry Fry ponders American options

American could be pitched into the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, trainer Harry Fry has confirmed.

Fry has dismissed the possibility of the six-year-old lightly-raced gelding featuring in the Neville Hotels Novice Chase at Leopardstown on December 29.

But it now looks like he could be tempted to enter American into the Grade One race on Monday week, better known as the Feltham, after he followed up a sixth place in his final start over hurdles in a Grade Two at Fairyhouse in March, with success over a useful field over fences at Exeter last month.

Fry said: “The race in Ireland is probably very unlikely as it looks like being a very competitive race. He seems to have come out of the race at Exeter well and will come forward for the run.

“He will be entered in the Feltham on Boxing Day and we will have a look at the entries and see what turns up.

“We don’t get many throws of the dice with him each season because he is so fragile. He is only going to get two or three runs in so there is no point trying to win an ordinary novice chase with him, but obviously he needs to step up again.

“What he needs though is proper soft ground. If he doesn’t go to Kempton he will go for a three-mile Listed chase at Warwick on January 14.”