Racing

2015 hero Many Clouds tops weights for Grand National

Cheltenham Gold Cup front runner Don Poli and Carlingford Lough near top of handicap

Many Clouds is the bookies' favourite for this year’s Grand National. Photograph: Getty Images
Many Clouds is the bookies' favourite for this year’s Grand National. Photograph: Getty Images
Tue Feb 16 2016 - 10:32

Last year's hero Many Clouds tops the weights for the 2016 Grand National at Aintree on April 9th.

Oliver Sherwood’s charge carried 11st 9lb to victory last year and he has been handed 11st 10lb for this season’s renewal following his recent second place behind Smad Place at Cheltenham.

The Willie Mullins-trained Don Poli, who is among the leading contenders for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, is next in the list on 11st 9lb with Paul Nicholls’ Silviniaco Conti, a dual King George VI Chase winner on 11st 8lb.

Dual Irish Gold Cup victor Carlingford Lough has been handed an initial weight of 11st 7lb while Mullins’ Valseur Lido (11st 6lb), Saturday’s Denman Chase winner Houblon Des Obeaux (11st 5lb) and Mouse Morris’ First Lieutenant (11st 4lb) also feature at the top of the handicap.

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Shutthefrontdoor, who finished fifth for Tony McCoy on his final National last term, has been allotted 10st 11lb this time around after shouldering 11st 2lb around the famous course in 2015. He is one of three entries for Jonjo O’Neill.

The Jim Dreaper-trained Goonyella is on 10st 8lb while The Druids Nephew is a leading hope for Neil Mulholland off 11st.

Plenty of trainers have multiple options at present with Silviniaco Conti one of nine entries for Nicholls along with the likes of Wonderful Charm (11st 3lb), Sam Winner (11st 1lb), Rocky Creek (10st 13lb) and Unioniste (10st 8lb).

Mullins has a total of seven entries with On His Own (11st 1lb), who fell in the race in 2012, and 2013 Gold Cup runner up Sir Des Champs (10st 13lb) notable contenders.

David Pipe won the race with Comply Or Die in 2008 and Ballynagour (11st 2lb), Soll (10st 11lb), Katkeau (10st 5lb) and Vieux Lion Rouge (10st 5lb) are among his seven entries.

Venetia Williams also has seven contenders, including Houblon Des Obeaux, while Gordon Elliott, who memorably struck gold in 2007 with Silver Birch, has six possibles topped by Roi Du Mee on 10st 13lb.

Philip Hobbs has four entries with Onenightinvienna (10st 8lb) and Kruzhlinin (10st 7lb) prominent in the ante-post betting.

Nicky Henderson’s Triolo D’Alene (11st) has his supporters after recently returning to winning form while last year’s second Saint Are (10st 5lb) and fourth Alvarado (10st 2lb) are primed to do battle again.

Dr Richard Newland sent out Pineau De Re to claim the Grade Three prize in 2014 and that horse has been given 10st 2lb this time, with stablemate Royale Knight on 10st 1lb.

Other notable entries include Kim Bailey’s The Last Samuri (10st 8lb), Becher Chase winner Highland Lodge (10st 2lb), Lucy Wadham’s Le Reve (10st 8lb), former Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere (11st 1lb) and Foxrock (11st 3lb).

Kerry Lee has mopped up in staying chases since Christmas and her Welsh National hero Mountainous has been given 10st 1lb, with Classic Chase winner Russe Blanc on 9st 12lb and Sandown victor Bishops Road on 10st 3lb, although all will need plenty to come out to get a run.

Full William Hill betting:

12-1 Many Clouds

20-1 Goonyella, Shutthefrontdoor, The Druids Nephew

25-1 Carlingford Lough, Don Poli, Holywell, Kruzhlinin, Silviniaco Conti, The Last Samuri, Triolo D’Alene

33-1 Cause Of Causes, First Lieutenant, Highland Lodge, Houblon Des Obeaux, Just A Par, Midnight Prayer, Onenightinvienna, Royale Knight, Saint Are, Thunder And Roses, Ucello Conti, Unioniste, Valseur Lido, Wounded Warrior, Ziga Boy

40-1 Alvarado, Black Thunder, Double Seven, Gallant Oscar, Gilgamboa, Le Reve, Long Run, Morning Assembly, Mountainous, O’Faolains Boy, On His Own, Rocky Creek, Shotgun Paddy, Sir Des Champs, Soll

50-1 Ballynagour, Bishops Road, Broadway Buffalo, Buywise, Double Ross, Dromnea, Firebird Flyer, Foxrock, Gas Line Boy, Godsmejudge, Golden Wonder, Hadrian’s Approach, Katenko, Living Next Door, Mon Parrain, Ned Stark, Night In Milan, Open Hearted, Pendra, Perfect Candidate, Pineau De Re, Portrait King, Roi Du Mee, Rule The World, Sam Winner, Saroque, Spring Heeled, The Romford Pele, Vics Canvas, Vieux Lion Rouge, Wonderful Charm, Woodford County

66-1 Aachen, Any Currency, Bally Beaufort, Ballycasey, Bear’s Affair, Benbens, Benvolio, Bless The Wings, Boston Bob, Cogry, Competitive Edge, Dare To Endeavour, Emperor’s Choice, Gray Hession, Home Farm, Indian Castle, Katkeau, Knock House, Lord Windermere, Mendip Express, No Secrets, Operating, Paint The Clouds, Present View, Rivage D’Or, Rogue Angel, Russe Blanc, Seabass, Splash Of Ginge, Standing Ovation

100-1 Amigo, Bob Ford, Corrin Wood, Dark Lover, Doing Fine, Financial Climate, Golden Chieftain, Harry The Viking, Maggio, Milborough, Mr Moonshine, Our Father, Rathlin, Rigadin De Beauchene, Third Intention, Tour Des Champs, Turban, Wyck Hill

150-1 Aerlite Supreme, Big Water, Ikorodu Road, Seebright, Summery Justice.