HARRY Fry will let the dust settle before making plans for American following his disappointing effort in the Ladbrokes Trophy.

The seven-year-old was sent off the 5-1 second-favourite for the race formerly known as the Hennessy Gold Cup on what was just his fourth start over fences, and first since winning at Uttoxeter in March.

But he was never able to be a factor and was pulled up by Noel Fehily before the fourth-last.

The Seaborough handler said: “He missed the standing start and never got into any sort of rhythm. He made mistakes and normally jumping is his forte.

“It was a big ask coming here and to be honest he didn’t have enough experience for a race like that and the hurly burly, and it told.

“He never jumped with any fluency and at no point was he in the race. We will go home and piece him together and see what we can do. We won’t know yet how he has taken it and that won’t be until early next week.”

Coneygree, the 2015 Gold Cup winner, was another to be pulled up before four out.

His trainer Mark Bradstock will send the 10-year-old for further investigation on a possible wind problem.

He said: “Nico (de Boinville, jockey) said he may need a wind-op, but other than that he’s fine at the moment.

“We thought we had him on-song and jumping well, but we have to go back to the drawing board. He’s been an absolute superstar and owes us nothing.”