Many Clouds on his way to winning the Grand National

 PICTURE: Getty Images

It’s Aspell again as Many Clouds storms home

Report: Aintree, Saturday

Crabbie’s Grand National (Grade 3) 4m3 ½f, 7yo+

LEIGHTON ASPELL became the first jockey since Red Rum’s rider Brian Fletcher to win back-to-back Grand Nationals when he steered Hennessy Gold Cup hero Many Clouds to a storming success in the £1 million Crabbie’s-backed event on Saturday.

Aspell, successful 12 months ago on the Richard Newland-trained Pineau De Re, gave the 25-1 winner a peach of a ride and the pair came home a length and three-quarters in front of Saint Are, who was also 25-1.

Monbeg Dude was third at 40-1, while 20-1 chance Alvarado continued Paul Moloney’s remarkable record in the race by claiming fourth – the seventh successive time the rider has made the frame in the world’s most famous jumps race.  

However, there was no fairytale ending for retiring champion jockey Tony McCoy, who was fifth on Shutthefrontdoor, his 20th and final National ride.

The result makes Aspell the first jockey since Bryan Marshall in 1954 to win the National in consecutive years on different horses, while it was a third triumph for owner Trevor Hemmings, whose famous, green, white and yellow silks were carried to victory by Hedgehunter in 2005 and Ballabriggs in 2011.

Leighton Aspell celebrates a famous win aboard Many Clouds

 PICTURE: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

It was, however, a first National success for trainer Oliver Sherwood, who thought Many Clouds was a year too young for the race, but bowed to Hemmings’ desire to run.

Sherwood need not have worried though, as Many Clouds, who flopped when fancied for last month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, and Aspell enjoyed what looked a dream run over Aintree’s famous fences.

The eight-year-old, conceding weight to 37 of his 38 rivals, raced handily and was left in front when The Druids Nephew slithered on landing five out. Shutthefrontdoor and McCoy were stalking him closely, but Aspell seemed confident when stealing a look at his toiling rivals two out and despite his mount understandably tiring the rider was able to celebrate Mickael Barzalona-style in the saddle, standing up and punching the air as he crossed the line.

“It’s wonderful and we’ll celebrate tonight,” said the 39-year-old Aspell, who retired from riding in 2007, but returned two years later.

“He gave his all – that was some ride. I asked some big questions and he dug deep. I tried to conserve energy because he had a tough race in the Gold Cup, but my God it’s a wonderful training performance from Oliver to refresh and recharge his batteries. He’s all heart and all the way round I was thinking this is the best ride I’ve had over these fences – he was awesome. I was just hoping the battery life would last and it did.”

Hemmings, who loves the National like no other race, joked he wanted to win “just one more”, before adding: “It was incredible. You dream about the National and dream about winning it. Then along comes a second which is special but a third is unbelievable and we’ve done it with three different horses.

“The achievers are usually those who are quiet, confident and experienced and Leighton Aspell is all of that. The race has captured my heart for years and you can’t express the feeling.

“All I can say is thank you Oliver Sherwood and all the staff, thank you Leighton and thank you Aintree.”     

Tony McCoy (left) and Paul Moloney (right) congratulate Aspell

 PICTURE: Getty Images

Sherwood, who was eighth in the 1983 National on Venture To Cognac, had had four runners fail to finish in the Aintree marathon, but Many Clouds put that right in some style.

“I can’t believe it,” said the Lambourn trainer. “I thought after the first few fences ‘he’s some spin’. All I wanted was for the horse to come back in one piece and that’s the best news. He was foot-perfect and I can’t remember him making a mistake.

“I can’t believe it has happened. I thought it was a year too soon and Trevor knows that. It was his decision. I said the horse was fit, healthy and well and if you want to run we’ll run. It was his decision to run and he should get all the credit.”

Sherwood has enjoyed something of a revival in recent years and added: “The horse has been unbelievable all season. He didn’t run his race in the Gold Cup. I don’t know what happened and all we’ve done since is a couple of quiet bits of work to freshen him up. I thought he’d probably gone over the top but what do I know about horses?!”

Not chuffed to be second, but chuffed for Aspell was Paddy Brennan, whose mount Saint Are maintained his fine record at the course.

Brennan, riding for Tom George, said: “I had a great time and it’s great to be part of it. It was a tremendous horse race and it’s not nice to be second, but I was second to a true gentleman in Leighton Aspell and I’m delighted for connections.”

Liam Treadwell, who partnered Mon Mome to a shock 100-1 success in the National in 2009, was thrilled with the effort of Monbeg Dude.

“He was brilliant for me today,” said Treadwell. “I know I was a long way out of my ground, but it was the way to ride the horse, effectively he didn’t know he was in the race for three-quarters of it and I got a brilliant ride off him. I thought I might win going to the Elbow but his run petered out.”

Just like last year, Alvarado stayed on for fourth, meaning Moloney’s record in the last seven Nationals now reads 4344244.

fonte : RacingPost