Grand National hero Many Clouds ‘very bright’ after his win
Trainer Oliver Sherwood has told H&H that Grand National winner Many Clouds is in good spirits after winning the race on Saturday (11 April).
And the National Hunt hero will be parading for fans at Cheltenham races today (Wednesday 15 April) at 3.30pm.
Many Clouds received a warm welcome home when he paraded through the streets of Lambourn on Sunday (12 April), as more than a thousand supporters turned out to see him.
He was “very bright” and “bucking and kicking in his field” according to Berkshire-based trainer Oliver.
“He is very well and there wasn’t a scratch on him after the race,” said Oliver.
“It was unbelievably humbling to see all the supporters in Lambourn. It just shows how much the public love the sport and the horses. The fact all the horses came back is the most important thing for all of us.
“Many Clouds had a bit of a ‘wobble’ after the race, and needed to be cooled down, but he’s done it before — after he won the Hennessy — and no doubt it will happen again. He gives every ounce that he has. But he was absolutely fine that evening after the race.”
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The eight-year-old gelding was the youngest winner of the race since Bindaree in 2002.
Oliver added that Many Clouds is a “very easy” horse to have around the yard.
“He’s quite a big horse at 16.3hh but he’s a gentle giant. He can take a bit of a tug in work but you get what it says on the tin,” he added.
“He’ll do a couple of parades — at Cheltenham and at Sandown — then he’ll have a break over the summer. He’ll go back to his owner’s [Trevor Hemmings] farm for a holiday.”
And the victory is only just sinking in for Oliver, who is enjoying a resurgence in his career.
He said “words couldn’t describe” the feeling after the race.
“He didn’t run his race in the Gold Cup [where he finished sixth], maybe he got out of the wrong side of bed, but there’s been nothing wrong with him since,” he added.
“It’s ridiculous,” he said. “I can’t quite believe it. These things happen to other people not to yourself.”
Many Clouds secured jockey Leighton Aspell back-to-back wins in the race.
The 38-year-old won the race last year, on Dr Richard Newland’s Pineau De Re, who finished 12th in this year’s renewal.
“He gave me a lovely, smooth round,” said Leighton.
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A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.