Many Clouds wins Grand National

Britain’s most popular jumps race, the G3 Grand National handicap run at Aintree over 7100 meters, went the way of Leighton Aspell for the second year running as the 39-year-old journeyman jockey steered 25-1 chance Many Clouds (Ire)(Cloudings {Ire}) to a rousing victory. The 8-year-old gelding, who ran sixth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup on his previous start, cleared the 30 giant fences under second-top weight to present Lambourn trainer Oliver Sherwood with a first trophy in the historic contest. It was the third win for owner Trevor Hemmings, whose colors were carried to victory in 2005 and 2011. “The achievers are usually those who are quiet, confident and experienced and Leighton Aspell is all of that,” said Hemmings of the winning jockey, who retired from the saddle in 2007 only to return two years later. “The race has captured my heart for years and you can’t express the feeling.”

Retiring legend A P McCoy finished fifth on board the favorite Shutthefrontdoor (Ire) (Accordion {GB}). All but one of the 39 runners came home unscathed. Balthazar King (Ire) (King’s Theatre {Ire}), who fell at the eighth fence, was standing and attended to by vets on-course. He was transported to the University of Liverpool Equine Hospital for further assessment.