Oliver Sherwood thrilled with Many Clouds ahead of Premier Chase at Kelso
Last season’s Grand National hero has had Aintree as his aim again ever since crossing the line last April but, if anything, his form this season is just as good as what he produced last year.
He began his campaign at Wetherby in the Charlie Hall Chase, when Sherwood was at pains to point out his charge would be far from fully fit, but he still ran well behind Cue Card.
With that run under his belt, he went to Aintree two months later to take on Willie Mullins’ Gold Cup hopeful Don Poli, giving the young pretender 5lb, yet until the last 100 yards the result was in some doubt, with Many Clouds running a blinder in second.
Last time out, Sherwood chose to send him to Cheltenham for the BetBright Chase, a noted Gold Cup trial which the nine-year-old won last season.
But this year Alan King’s Smad Place gained his revenge, having chased him home in the corresponding race 12 months previously.
While Smad Place is a legitimate Gold Cup contender this year, Sherwood has been building towards Aintree all along and is not interested in taking in the Cheltenham Festival highlight, in which he finished sixth last season.
“Fingers crossed, everything has gone perfectly well of late,” said Sherwood.
“He schooled this week and that went nicely and we couldn’t be happier. Everything has gone according to plan.
“This race looked the obvious one to aim at as the conditions suit him and the ground seems fine.”
Regular jockey Leighton Aspell, who will be aiming for a third successive National if all goes to plan at Kelso said: “He’s very, very well. This race just fits in perfectly, time-wise, and hopefully all goes well. You don’t want a slog but soft is fine for him.
“It looks the perfect race.”
Paul Nicholls sends Unioniste on the long journey back up to Kelso, having won there last time out.
The grey had been out of form this season before bouncing back to win the Ivan Straker Memorial in February.
Fergal O’Brien’s Perfect Candidate, Patrick Griffin’s Maggio and the Maurice Barnes-trained Carrigdhoun complete the field.
