Hennessy defence on cards for Many Clouds Grand National hero Many Clouds could make his return next season over hurdles should a suitable starting point over fences not be found. Trainer Oliver Sherwood revealed he would consider giving his Aintree winner a spin over the smaller obstacles as a prep for his defence of the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in November. The Trevor Hemmings-owned eight-year-old handed the Lambourn trainer his second win in the historic handicap when posting a three-and-a-quarter-length win over Houblon Des Obeaux - some 24 years after winning it with Arctic Call. Sherwood said: "I would think the Hennessy would be the first big goal, especially if the Gold Cup winner (Coneygree) is an intended runner as we would have less weight than we had last year, which would be interesting. "He went back up to Mr Hemmings' stud and then popped over to the Isle of Man, where he is now. He won't come back until the end of July or the beginning of August time, so that is something to look forward to. "Everything went right last season. We wanted to go to Carlisle for his first run, where we are not qualified to go this year. I'd like to get a prep run into him, as speaking to both Alan King (Smad Place) and Willie Mullins (Djakadam) I know they both wish they'd had a prep race going into the Hennessy. Luckily we did the right thing. "He would want at least a three-week gap between his races as he does put everything into them. I will have to scout through the programme book. Even it meant that the right race appeared over hurdles, I would have no hesitation in going over hurdles with him." Although things have been intense in the aftermath of Many Clouds' victory in the world-famous Aintree marathon, Sherwood reported his stable star had taken it all in his stride. Sherwood said: "It has been manic, but most importantly the horse has handled it really well. "He's loved all the attention. He went to Cheltenham, Newbury to meet the Queen and, of course, Sandown (paraded on the last day of the season). He has been a star. "He did surprise me how well he took everything in the race because he was bouncing the next day and hadn't left an oat. He took it all in his stride. "We got so many letters and emails and we have replied to just about every single one. You don't realise how worldwide it (Grand National) is. We went to a party on Saturday night and met an American and even in New York they were talking about the Grand National. "Even now you go somewhere and you see people who you haven't seen for a while and they say 'well done'." While the Hennessy is likely to be Many Clouds' first major target of the season, Sherwood has made it clear the ultimate aim will be to go back to Aintree in April to try to become the first horse since Red Rum to win back-to-back Grand Nationals.
