FALLEN HERO Aintree legend Many Clouds dies after beating Thistlecrack in epic struggle
COLIN TIZZARD paid tribute to Many Clouds after the hugely popular Grand National winner collapsed and died following his shock victory over the trainer’s Gold Cup favourite Thistlecrack.
The two horses were locked together on the run-in after a pulsating duel in the Cotswold Chase, with Ol i v e r S h e rwo o d ’ s courageous 10-year-old just getting his head in front on the line.
Tizzard ( below) said: “Poor old Many Clouds. My initial thought was one of disappointment that we’d got beat, but it’s as sad as can be – he was a lovely horse and better than us on the day.
“They had a battle royal and it’s a tragic end to the race. This is what happens in our sport occasionally and you’ve got to face up to it.”
Thistlecrack remains at the head of the Gold Cup market, but bookies now sense a chink in the King George winner’s armour and have pushed him out from odds-on to a best-priced 9-4.
However Tizzard, who also trains second favourite Native River, retains massive faith in last year’s World Hurdle winner, saying: “He’s still run a blinder on winter ground – back here in March will suit him better.”
Unowhatimeanharry, the heir-apparent to Thistlecrack in the staying hurdle division, cemented his place as favourite for this year’s Cheltenham Festival long-distance crown with a typical ly workmanlike success in the Cleeve under Barry Geraghty.
Winner of the Albert Bartlett at last season’s Festival, the JP McManusowned nine-year-old is now unbeaten in eight starts since joining Harry Fry’s yard.
Fry said: “Barry looked confident coming down the hill and then the horse thinks he’s done enough when he hits the front, but that’s probably why he keeps winning.
“If we worked him with a 100-rated horse at home or a 140-rated, he goes a length up and stops. If he was winning by 20 lengths every time there’d come a time the tank would be empty.
“It was soft, tacky ground today and he travelled nicely through it.”
The Clarence House Chase, rerouted from last weekend’s Ascot card, was won convincingly by odds-on Un De Sceaux for the second year running.
Most horses would be aimed at the Champion Chase after taking this race but Willie Mullins has hot favourite Douvan in that and will discuss options with Ruby Walsh and the gelding’s owners.
Mullins said: “He jumped big and fresh and still had enough left in the tank. To do that after travelling twice from Ireland in a week shows how well he is.
“We know he stays two and a half miles so at this stage the Ryanair Chase looks more his Festival race, though it will depend on what Douvan does between now and then.”