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Aintree rename Many Cloud Chase

Oliver Sherwood with Many Clouds a day after his unforgettable Aintree triumph
Image: Oliver Sherwood with Many Clouds a day after his unforgettable Aintree triumph

Many Clouds is to be honoured with a race named in his memory at Aintree.

The newly-promoted Grade Two race staged over three miles and a furlong on Becher Chase Day in December is being renamed the Many Clouds Chase in memory of the 2015 Grand National hero.

Trained by Oliver Sherwood, Many Clouds' victory under 11st 9lb was also a record-equalling third win in the world's most famous race for owner Trevor Hemmings.

Many Clouds ran at Aintree eight times during his career with his other victory there coming last December in the contest that will now bear his name.

The son of Cloudings died of a pulmonary haemorrhage at Cheltenham in January after a thrilling victory over Thistlecrack in the Cotswold Chase. That performance made him the leading three-mile plus horse in the 2016/17 Anglo Irish Jump Classifications.

Hemmings said: "It was a brilliant day when Many Clouds won the Grand National in 2015 and the determination he showed was phenomenal. Many Clouds loved racing at Aintree and to commemorate him permanently there with this race, which he won last year, is a fitting tribute to a wonderful horse."

Sherwood said: "It is great honour to have this race named after Many Clouds.

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"Ever since he died, there has been an amazing response from so many people - it has been unbelievable."

Another race run at Aintree to be upgraded is the three-mile Betway Handicap Chase, which precedes the Randox Health Grand National, from Listed to Grade Three status.

The Pertemps Network Hurdle Final at the Cheltenham Festival has been upgraded from Listed to Grade Three, while Chepstow's totequadpot Novices' Chase run over two-and-a-half miles in October has been given Listed status.

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