Many Clouds won a memorable Grand National at Aintree this afternoon.
The horse, who surprisingly struggled in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham, has won the Grand National for trainer Oliver Sherwood and last year’s winning jockey Leighton Aspell.
Successful aboard Pineau De Re 12 months ago, Aspell was never too far off the pace and Many Clouds, winner of the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury earlier in the season and sixth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, jumped with aplomb throughout.
For a long way it appeared Shutthefrontdoor could provide Tony McCoy with a fairytale second National triumph before his retirement, but he eventually weakened into fifth place.
Many Clouds tired from the elbow, but had enough in the tank to hold off Saint Are, with Monbeg Dude third and Alvarado fourth.
Jockey Leighton Aspell celebrates after Grant National victory
