led, driven when hard pressed approaching 2 out, soon ridden, not fluent and headed last, kept on, no impression with winner flat
in rear, struggling 12th, jumped slowly and lost touch next, tailed off
tracked leader, lost place 5 out, soon behind, weakened 3 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, close up on outside 13th, went 2nd 3 out, almost upsides next, led last, ridden clear flat, in command when wandered towards finish
prominent on outside, not fluent 4 out, ridden and outpaced by front pair after next, no impression from 2 out, lost 3rd flat
tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, soon outpaced, kept on under pressure before last, went 3rd flat, not reach front pair
All of What Happens Now’s recent victories have come over hurdles so it remains to be seen how he handles this switch back to the larger obstacles as he was pulled up off this mark on his last run over fences. Donald McCain also runs dual course winner Valleyofmilan while Jonjo O’Neill is another who is double-handed. Jockey booking would suggest unexposed Uttoxeter winner Sebastian Beach will be the pick ahead of Clubs Are Trumps, who is held by DR ROBIN on Worcester form. Peter Bowen’s charge will need the blinkers to work a second time to follow up here off a 6lb higher mark but may be the one to beat as Cernunnos remains out of sorts.
What Happens Now (IRE) 4-6fav (12-0) Made virtually all, drew clear from last bend, not fluent last, ridden out, won at Hexham 2m 7f (4) gd in Aug beating Luso Benny (11-0) by 9l, 9 ran.
Dr Robin (IRE) 5-2fav (11-9) Chased leaders, mistake 9th, badly outpaced after 12th, rallied 2 out, driven before last, ridden to lead and quickened clear run-in, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jul beating Midnight Monty (11-8) by 3l, 7 ran.
Valleyofmilan (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Made all, stayed on well, won at Perth 3m hcp (4) sft in Aug beating Quick Brew (10-9) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Cernunnos (FR) 5-1 (11-3) Towards rear, mistake 4 out, soon behind, 7th of 9, 27 1/2l behind Honkytonktennessee (10-9) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Sebastian Beach (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Pressed leader, not fluent 8th, led 4 out, hit 2 out, driven and good jump last, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) gs in Jul beating Wade Harper (11-3) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Clubs Are Trumps (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, 2nd 4th until blundered 9th, weakened and behind from 12th, tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Gingili (11-12) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (4) gf in Aug.
