Oliver Sherwood stable tour, headed by Grand National hero Many Clouds

Despite counting the reigning Crabbie's Grand National hero Many Clouds among his inmates, the Aintree victor will not be the only horse occupying the mind of Oliver Sherwood this season.

While the Upper Lambourn handler will see much of the focus on his yard centred around the exploits of his stable star, there is a great belief within the team that he will not be the only one taking a turn in the limelight.

Heading up the list of those bidding to capture headlines throughout the course of the campaign is Puffin Billy, who missed almost a year through injury, but showed plenty of ability remains after registering four wins in his first season over fences last term.

He said: "Puffin Billy is rated higher than Many Clouds was this time last year. Obviously he had that hiccup before Christmas when he had that horrible fall at Ascot.

"He came back as good as ever, winning three on the bounce, ending up with a really gutsy win at Ayr on ground that would have been too lively for him. Ground is important to him and without any mistakes, on soft ground he is top class.

"He is in the same category as Many Clouds in that he is very tough and doesn't know when he is beaten. He needs a bit of confidence in his jumping as it has got to be improved on, but that will be ironed out.

"There is no doubt in my mind he is better going right handed than left handed. He is improving and, all being well, he will go up to Carlisle for the race Many Clouds won last year.

"I would love to run him in the Hennessy, but it is the wrong way round for him. His first goal of the season would be to go to Ascot for the £100,000 chase just before Christmas."

Having showed plenty of promise over hurdles, including a second place in the 2014 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, things for Deputy Dan failed to pan out as expected over fences, recording just one win in seven starts.

However, Sherwood has far from given up on the seven-year-old and believes he is more than capable of making his mark over larger obstacles.

He said: "Last year was a bit of a nightmare really. He ran well first time out and then won that race at Plumpton when Coneygree was withdrawn at the start.

"His jumping went to pot at Exeter and other places, and at the end of the season Leighton (Aspell) was adamant that something wasn't right.

"He has issues with joints and knees which he has had injections on and the proof of the pudding will be on the racecourse.

"People will condemn him and say that he doesn't jump, but I think he was just feeling things.

"He is rated 139 so he could still be well in over fences. I'd love, if we got a wet autumn, to have a crack at the Hennessy with him. It is tailor-made for him and if he comes back to his best, he could be the forgotten horse."

While both Puffin Billy and Deputy Dan are yet to make their seasonal returns, battled-hardened hurdler Rayvin Black enjoyed a pipe-opener at Kempton on Sunday when finishing third behind Champion Hurdle contender The New One in a Listed event.

With a return to handicap company on the cards, or a switch to chasing an alternative option, Sherwood is confident that more victories are just around the corner.

He said: "He is a really tough individual. He ran some cracking races at Sandown last season. He has strengthened up over the summer. He gets on well with Tom (Garner) and he thinks he will jump a fence, but I am not so sure.

"He is rated 134. I would love to have a crack at some of those decent handicaps at Sandown and Kempton. I think he just gets two-and-a-half. There are plenty of races to be had with him if he doesn't jump fences."

Like many other National Hunt trainers, Sherwood has seen his fair share of new arrivals join his team over the course of the summer.

One that has caught the eye already in his work at home is three-times hurdle winner Kings Bandit, previously trained by Donald McCain.

He said: "He only ran once last year but that was a non-event. Donald's horses were all wrong last year.

"He is rated 132 and is a lovely, big horse. He has schooled well over fences. I am learning about him and he could be anything, but I like what I see.

"I would start him off at two, then up him to two and a half in time. There are plenty of nice races for him."

As for those from the younger generation, Sherwood has identified two very unexposed horses that merit a scribble in any notebook.

He said: "Robinesse is a half-sister to Mischievous Milly who has been a good flag bearer for us.

"She won her bumper at Uttoxeter against the boys having not known what she was doing until the last furlong when getting up on the line. It was very encouraging.

"I know the family well and think this girl is bigger and stronger than Mischievous Milly, who was a Listed winner. I would be disappointed if she couldn't win her two novice hurdles this year.

"The Fresh Prince is a five-year-old that Trevor Hemmings purchased. He won a point-to-point. He shows a nice bit at home and he will run in a bumper before going hurdling.

"He is a big, strong, imposing horse. He would jump a fence now and chasing is going to be his game, much like Many Clouds, and whatever he does over hurdles is going to be a bonus."

More on the Oliver Sherwood squad:

BLAMEITALONMYROOTS

"When it comes up soft, she is one to follow. She won a mares' race at Ludlow and every race she improved. She is rated 122 and could go for those proper staying races, but she loves the mud."

HAUT BAGES

"He is a nice horse that I have been sent by Simon Munir from France. He had several runs on the Flat and we have done a fair bit of schooling with him now and he will be ready to run at the end of the month. We are just learning about him."

ITS A STING

"He is a horse that never won last season, but he was second three times. He is a lovely, big horse that has schooled great. He is set to go chasing and is another that could be anything. He won his bumper very easily and is definitely one to keep an eye on."

LEGEND LADY

"She won her bumper at Taunton and then was sixth in the mares' bumper at Aintree, which was a very good run. She is an above-average mare and has physically improved and jumps well."

TANIOKEY

"She is another nice mare that I've got. She was fifth in the mares' novice hurdle finale at Newbury. She is going chasing and schools well at home. She will go for those mares' chases now that they (mares) have got a bit more for them over fences, as in there are a couple of Listed races. That will make a difference."

TOVIERE

"Toviere is a nice horse that belongs to Tim Syder and the Whateleys. He had one run and was second in a bumper at Fontwell. He should have won really, but Leighton gave him a nice introduction. He has improved during the summer and will have one more bumper run then go hurdling."

WESTSTREET

"Weststreet won his bumper at Fontwell and was placed in a few hurdle races. He was a little disappointing, but he has strengthened up. He will go hurdling for a start but he might go chasing later on."