Racing

Many Clouds shows Grand National credentials at Kelso

Last year’s winner looks capable of justifying favouritism and retaining race at Aintree

Many Clouds emphasised his claims of retaining the Grand National with victory at Kelso. Photograph: Getty
Many Clouds emphasised his claims of retaining the Grand National with victory at Kelso. Photograph: Getty
Sun Mar 13 2016 - 16:33

Many Clouds showed his wellbeing ahead of his bid to land the Crabbie's Grand National for the second successive year with an impressive victory in the totepoolliveinfo.com Premier Chase at Kelso.

Winning for the first time since Aintree last April, Many Clouds hardly gave his supporters an anxious moment as he did everything right in his final prep run.

Trevor Hemmings’ nine-year-old jumped superbly in the hands of Leighton Aspell and went on at the seventh fence after shadowing Carrigdhoun in the early stages.

Sausalito Sunrise tried to put in a challenge but he could not cope with Oliver Sherwood’s charge when Aspell kicked on.

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Many Clouds (11-10 favourite) soon put the race to bed and strode clear to score by 10 lengths.

Unioniste, who also holds a National entry, stayed on well from last place to finish second. Carrigdhoun was three-quarters of a length away in third.

Many Clouds was cut to 8-1 clear favourite for the National from 12-1 with Paddy Power and to 7-1 from 12s with Betfair while Betfred went 9-1 from 12s.

Paddy Power said: “Many Clouds must have a great chance of a repeat in the National off just 5lb higher and while that was his first win since Aintree last year, we’re running scared as that was hugely impressive and he seems to have definitely improved again this season.”