Handicapper lauds Clouds performance Many Clouds put up the best performance since at least 1998 when winning the Crabbie's Grand National, according to the British Horseracing Authority's chief handicapper. Phil Smith is to raise the Oliver Sherwood-trained chaser by 7lb in the ratings as a result of Saturday's success, although the horse can only carry 1lb more if he runs in next year's race. That is because he carried 11st 9lb around for a gruelling four and a half miles, and the top weight allowed is 11st 10lb. Smith told At The Races: " He's won off 160. He's the highest-rated horse to win the National since Red Rum. "It's a tricky one in terms of the best performance because in 1998 Suny Bay was second off 170, which was a fantastic performance looking back. "I think I'm probably going to put Many Clouds up to 167 - up 7lb from yesterday. I've got no reason to doubt the quality of the form. "The most he can carry next year is 1lb (more). That's the maximum top-weight, but you never know, there might be something better than him entered in the race next year. "It should be an encouragement to the owners and trainers of those better horses it's not necessarily going to be the weight that stops you. "Many Clouds is 5lb off (Gold Cup winner) Coneygree. Many Clouds did not run his race for whatever reason at Cheltenham. It was a blip in what has been a pretty impressive season. "Hopefully he'll come back next season and the key thing is going to be the relativity of horses and how many pounds is he going to be giving other horses. "If Many Clouds runs a couple of stinkers next year I will ignore them because he's got the runs on the board. I know what he's capable of achieving on that ground in early April."
