SOUTHWELL 13:00

All 7 ran. Fences: 11.

Time: 4m 12.9s Closing Sectional: (2.15f): 34.7s (99.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 110%, Betfair SP 100.7%

The fences got in the way for a couple, including Vado Forte, but that one's old rival Katpoli would have taken a world of beating regardless such was his dominance under a positive ride that saw him in command from some way out.

KATPOLI (FR) confirmed to some tune the promise of his chasing debut, jumping better than Vado Forte but still reversing Chepstow placings far more decisively than might have been anticipated, looking well ahead of his mark (aided by 4-y-o allowance); soon led, jumped well in main, went with zest, quickened clear home turn, had plenty in hand; a speedy sort, he's open to further improvement granted a similar test.

MASSINI MAN fair over hurdles, ran to a similar level sent chasing after 7 months off, though his form over timber was patchy, suggesting he's no good thing to progress from this; patiently ridden, took closer order 4 out, pushed along home turn, plugged on, took second run-in.

VADO FORTE (FR) failed to build on the promise of his Chepstow run (just ahead of Katpoli), hold-up tactics around a sharp track one factor but some less-than-fluent jumping a bigger issue; dropped out, not jump well, effort home turn, held when slow last, lost second run-in.

BELARGUS (FR) looks too high in the weights above all (even with benefit of 4-y-o allowance), strictly running better than on chasing bow but never carrying a win threat; patiently ridden, jumped better, took keen hold, shaken up after 4 out, made little impression.

FORT DE L'OCEAN (FR) sent chasing, essentially fared little better than on his British debut 9 weeks earlier, not as though jumping was an issue; held up, shaken up after seventh, never involved.

MONSIEUR D'ARQUE (IRE) making chasing bow, shaped better than the bare result but didn't see things out with much purpose, albeit having tried to go with the thrown-in winner; disputed lead early, pressed leader from second, pushed along home turn, weakened.

SHADY OAKS (IRE) ran no better than on return in first-time cheekpieces; clear third, lost ground circuit out, never going well after, dropped away back straight; plenty to prove at present.