Many Clouds is qualified to run (again!) in the Cheltenham Gold Cup next week, over three and a quarter miles of Prestbury Park; that’s the crux, distance!
Apparently trainer Oliver Sherwood hasn’t made up his mind about this wonderful nine-year-old which is in the form of his life, ready to tackle the world on a racing surface far removed from the desperate ground encountered by so many these last few months.
Last season Many Clouds won the ‘Hennessy’ over a similar distance, followed up comfortably at Cheltenham and then landed the Grand National over four and a half miles, lasting home gamely; ground conditions were ‘good’ for all three victories but don’t think the Cloudings gelding cannot act on a demanding surface.
Although there was no urgency when Smad Place beat him twelve lengths in January, at a difference of 4lbs, we’re totally convinced that Many Clouds is at least 10lbs better than last year and will better his sixth position.
National Hunt thoroughbreds capable of winning the magnificent November Newbury feature are exceptional; the roll of honour illustrates it and, of course, landing the ‘Worlds’ greatest horserace’ at Aintree requires a genuine ‘graded’ performer nowadays. Many Clouds ‘qualifies’ in all aspects and he even passes the ‘Cheltenham factor’ examination.
This is not a ‘faint heart never won fair lady’ missive more an examination under the extremely reliable ‘process of elimination’ form analysis. Consider the following.
Cue Card is my time-handicap top-rated, judged on his hard-fought ‘King George’ success over Vautour by a neck; will either genuinely stay another two furlongs on the desperate climb at the end of a gruelling marathon?
Current favourite Don Cossack achieved a ‘career-best’ over two and a half at Aintree last April after which AP McCoy stated categorically ‘this is definitely his best trip!’
Even now we understand his owner ‘wouldn’t mind’ running Don Cossack in his own race, the group one ‘Ryanair, why? Because he has a doubt and knows that when Don Cossack fell on Boxing Day he was cooked; they fall for good reason(s)!
Now we come to the nitty gritty, would we back Many Clouds each-way for the ‘Cup?’
Money talks and given the assurance of a ‘money back with a run’ condition I’d definitely play the place and there is yet another reason, the experienced, proficient, Leighton Aspell, what a jockey!
Wonder what he thinks, Oliver!
Sherwood and owner Trevor Hemmings wont listen to me but I’ve spent nigh on forty years ‘placing’ for some truly wonderful trainers/owners and they should. Parting shot, how many entered for the CGC would be capable of winning our ‘Hennessy’ and the ultimate Blue Riband of steeplechasing?
Readers will be getting my Festival previews throughout the next few days; perhaps I’ll complete a ‘Cup’ hat-trick!
Southwell stages a six-race programme this afternoon desperate quality but, there again, I’ve often maintained that the best results come for the worst races. If that’s so we should have a good day!
SELECTIONS
Southwell, 9.20 Swift Cedar
11.30 Eutropius
12.00 Trigger Park (nap).