Racing: Aspell completes double

Many Clouds (green and yellow colours) has safely negotiated the Chair on his way to Grand National glory on Sunday. Photo / AP

Many Clouds gives ‘retired’ jockey his second Grand National Steeplechase victory.

At the finish, the victorious Many Clouds had to be removed to the shade and hosed down with cold water after his exertions had placed him in danger of overheating. Looking at his jockey Leighton Aspell and trainer Oliver Sherwood, you suspect they could well have benefited from similar treatment after their horse won the Grand National Steeplechase at Aintree on Sunday.

Jockeys simply don't win successive Grand Nationals on different horses, or not in the memory of most of the sell-out crowd here - the last was Bryan Marshall in the early 1950s - and Sherwood, in four previous attempts to win the race, had never seen one of his charges complete this most demanding of examinations.

Fell 1st, pulled up 18th, refused 27th and fell 1st had been the Lambourn trainer's miserably undistinguished record until Sunday, when the 8-year-old Many Clouds, who had exhibited his class when winning this season's Hennessy Gold Cup, but had been a disappointing sixth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, rewarded him with his first National win. It was Aspell's second victory in the race, after his triumph on Pineau De Re last year.

Many Clouds, owned by Trevor Hemmings, at one time the owner of Pontins and Blackpool Tower, and now a three-time winning National owner, started at 25-1. He finished 1 lengths clear of the Paddy Brennan-ridden, Tom George-trained 25-1 runner-up Saint Are. Liam Treadwell, the 2009 winning jockey, was third on Michael Scudamore at 40-1, with Fergal O'Brien's 20-1 Alvarado, ridden by Paul Moloney, fourth.

All prices to delight the bookies, not least because Tony McCoy, in his last National expedition, could manage only fifth on 6-1 favourite Shutthefrontdoor.

"What do I know about horses?" reflected Sherwood with mock-chastisement of himself. "I personally felt it was a year too soon [to run in the National]. I just can't believe it. He was foot-perfect, I don't think that he made a mistake - I can't believe that it's happened, I really cannot believe it.

"It was Trevor's decision. I said: 'The horse is healthy, he's fit, he's well and, if you want to run, we will run'. It was his decision to run, end of story. It wasn't my decision, so he must get all the credit, not me."

Eight years ago, Aspell, a journeyman of his trade and never a man to remotely threaten the domination of McCoy, announced his retirement. He had become disillusioned and accepted a role with Flat trainer John Dunlop for 18 months, intending to become an assistant. He returned to the saddle in 2009, realising that he "still had some fire in his belly" and admitting he missed the camaraderie of the weighing room and the thrill of race riding.

"It all went well," said Aspell. "I had a good start, and got in behind Alvarado and AP [McCoy] on a good jumper. We knew he could jump, so I wanted to be patient.

"I gave him a small squeeze at the Canal Turn and then had a lovely smooth ride. Last year, I was shell-shocked and had to work hard at various points. This time I was going very well from the second time at Beecher's and was always hopeful from then."

Outsiders dominate
*Punters found the Grand National a tough betting proposition with a pair of 25-1 shots running the quinella.
*They had placed their faith in Shutthefrontdoor ridden by AP McCoy, who was having his last ride in the feature.
*It was trainer Oliver Sherwood's first winner from only five starters at Aintree.

- Independent