Clouds could return at Wetherby

Grand National winner Many Clouds could make his seasonal return in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby.

Trainer Oliver Sherwood has earmarked the three-mile-one-furlong Grade Two chase on October 31st as one of two potential starting points for the eight-year-old, ahead of him defending his Hennessy Gold Cup crown at Newbury the following month.

He said: "There are not a lot of options with a horse of his calibre as he is now rated 167. Obviously the race at Wetherby (Charlie Hall) is a possibility and on the same day there is a £100,000 chase at Ascot (Ascot Gold Cup).

"Subject to the weather and ground I would think one of those two would come into the equation before the Hennessy. I would love to go back to the Hennessy. The one thing I did do right last year was giving him a prep run before the Hennessy.

Although keen to start his stable star back out over fences Sherwood has not ruled out the possibility of him reverting back to hurdles should ground conditions not prove suitable at either Wetherby or Ascot.

Sherwood said: "Hurdles are another possibility for Many Clouds. I've not looked at the hurdle programme book for him. It would be the least of my three options though and I would prefer to keep him to fences.

"The one thing I don't have to do is protect his mark for the National as he can only get one pound more than last year."

While a return to the track is still a few weeks away for the son of Cloudings, who suffered his sole defeat last season in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the Lambourn handler reports him to be in good order after recently taking part in his first meaningful piece of work since his win in the Aintree showpiece.

"He looks great and has summered really well over on the Isle Of Man with Trevor (Hemmings)," said Sherwood.

"He has literally just had an indoor session with Yogi Breisner this morning. It is the first time he has left the ground since the National with Leighton (Aspell) and he had a really good morning.

"He did his first piece of work on Saturday. He was full of enthusiasm and looked good. Nathan Horrocks who rides him out every day said that he feels fantastic."