Thursday 31 March 2016 23:39, UK
Many Clouds delighted trainer Oliver Sherwood in a schooling session ahead of his bid to repeat last year's victory in the Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree on Saturday week.
Sherwood could not be happier as Many Clouds attempts to emulate the legendary Red Rum, who was the last horse to record back-to-back victories in the world's greatest steeplechase 42 years ago.
"He just popped over a few fences today. Leighton (Aspell) rode him. He's fine, he's A1 and I'm very happy. Everything is tickity boo," said the Lambourn handler.
"He'll do a bit of light work on Saturday morning. It's just routine stuff now until the big day."
Tom George cannot wait for the big day with Saint Are, who was second last year but is 2lb better off for being beaten a length and three-quarters.
"I'm very happy with him. Everything's going right," said the Slad trainer.
"He did some schooling on Wednesday and we're just keeping him ticking over and try to keep him where we are and in one piece.
"It's all routine stuff really."
Jonjo O'Neill could be represented by both Holywell and Shutthefrontdoor and is happy with the condition of both horses after they galloped on Thursday morning.
"He's in right good form," O'Neill said of last year's beaten favourite Shutthefrontdoor.
"We couldn't get him any better. I didn't think he got the trip last year, he ran a bit free early on and I'm hoping because he's a year older he might this time.
"He loved it and jumped like a buck. His racecourse gallop went well the other day and I was very pleased with him."
Holywell was right back to his best at the Cheltenham Festival, finishing second to Un Temps Pour Tout in the Ultima Handicap Chase.
"Holywell ran a brilliant race at Cheltenham," O'Neill continued in an interview with www.gloucestershireecho.co.uk.
"If he's in the mood and enjoying life he will run a cracker. I think he'll definitely stay and Richie (McLernon) rides him.
"Equally he could go down to the first and refuse. If he doesn't, I think by the third fence we should know whether he's enjoying it or not.
"Hopefully he'll find it great fun. If he gets into a rhythm I can see him running a big race."
The Druids Nephew appeared to be going well in the lead when he fell at the fifth-last fence last year and a return trip to Aintree has been the target ever since.
Trainer Neil Mulholland has booked Denis O'Regan and he put the nine-year-old through his paces over Grand National replica fences at Lambourn on Thursday morning.
"It's going very well. He schooled over Grand National fences this morning and everything went according to plan," said the Wiltshire handler.
"Denis rode him in his work and he rides him at Aintree. We're happy at the minute, so it's fingers crossed."
Rebecca Curtis went close to winning the National with Teaforthree, who was third three years ago, and she believes her 2014 RSA Chase winner O'Faolains Boy, her representative this year, ticks all the boxes.
"I think he's tailor-made for the race. He's a brilliant jumper, stays well and will go on the ground so hopefully he'll run a big race," the Newport trainer said.
Of Nigel Twiston-Davies' entries, only Double Ross is guaranteed a run and the Naunton trainer believes he is the right type. He should know having lifted the great race with Earth Summit in 1998 and Bindaree in 2002.
"The only one of my three certain to get in is Double Ross. The other two - Splash Of Ginge and Bally Beaufort - I'm pretty sure won't, but we'd love to run them," said Twiston-Davies.
"Double Ross hasn't had the greatest season. He's had a second and a fourth and hasn't won, but the National will suit him."
