Many Clouds is the outright Grand National favourite with nearly all firms after a thoroughly convincing success in his prep-race at Kelso on Sunday. Oliver Sherwood’s nine-year-old jumped beautifully and made almost all the running to give 4lb and a 10-length beating to Unioniste in a contest that was being restaged after the course was waterlogged last weekend.
“I’m chuffed to bits,” said Sherwood. “It was just what the doctor ordered. He won’t do a lot for 10 days and then we’ll just build him up. He was pretty fit today.”
Many Clouds is trying to become the first dual winner of the Grand National since Red Rum in the 1970s and will be burdened with top weight when the Aintree race is run on 9 April. Bookmakers were so taken with his Kelso showing that 10-1 is now the best price available.
The Many Clouds team had got off to a flying start with The Fresh Prince winning the Terry Frame Joiners Novice Hurdle. The 10-11 favourite jumped into the lead under Aspell three out and steadily pulled away, eventually scoring by seven lengths from Grexit.
“He jumped well and he’ll be better over fences. I’m looking forward to him jumping fences next season,” said Sherwood.
“I’d like to see him on better ground as well, but he travelled well and is going the right way.”
