Many Clouds' emphatic triumph underscores National favouritism

The Oliver Sherwood-trained chaser also became the first Aintree hero, since 2002 victor Bindaree, to win a subsequent race over steeplechase obstacles after landing the National.

Ridden by Leighton Aspell in the colours of Trevor Hemmings, Many Clouds is now clear favourite to become the first horse to win successive Nationals since Red Rum recorded the second of his three wins in 1974.

The nine-year-old jumped boldly in the rearranged itotepoolliveinfo.com Premier Chase, which had been abandoned the previous weekend because of waterlogging, taking up the running at the seventh fence.

Sausalito Sunrise tried to put in a challenge, but he could not cope with Oliver Sherwood’s charge when Aspell kicked on.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Unioniste rallied in the closing stages, but he could only get within 10 lengths of the winner. Sue Smith’s Cloudy Too was fifth after a couple of jumping errors.

Highland Lodge, winner of the Becher Chase for Cumbrian trainer Jimmy Moffatt and Middleham jockey Henry Brooke, will complete his build-up to the showpiece Aintree race with a racecourse gallop.

The horse has not raced since his Aintree heroics in December and Moffatt said yesterday: “Highland Lodge hasn’t missed a beat. His preparation is going very well and we are delighted with him.

“He is exactly where we want him and is due to go for a racecourse gallop in 10 days’ time, most likely at Haydock.

“I don’t see any reason why he won’t get the trip. He is a big galloper and just keeps going.”

Jonjo O’Neill reports Shutthefrontdoor, fifth in last year’s National, to be back on course for the National after being treated for a foot abscess following his poor run at Newbury earlier this month.

Saltburn jockey James Reveley’s burgeoning reputation in France continued when he partnered Calnutz to victory in the Prix de l’Yonne at Auteiul, the top Paris track.