Lambourn celebrates after trainer's Hennessy Gold Cup triumph

LAMBOURN trainer Oliver Sherwood is celebrating after Many Clouds' Hennessy Gold Cup triumph yesterday (Saturday).

Many Clouds stayed on well to win the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury for Grand National-winning rider Leighton Aspell.

“I’m just chuffed to bits,” said Sherwood. “He’s a very, very tough horse.
“I thought we were beat but Leighton galvanised him.”
The 8-1 victor, ridden by Leighton Aspell, beat the 50-1 top weight Houblon Des Obeaux, with Merry King in third and Monbeg Dude fourth.
Around 18,000 punters, packed through the turnstiles at Newbury Racecourse for the big event
The rest of the horseracing fraternity throughout the nation followed events, played out in Autumn sunshine, from afar.
There were some famous faces among the crowds, including Melanie Chisholm - better known as 'Sporty Spice' Mel C from the former Spice Girls pop group.
Another top Lambourn trainer, Nicky Henderson, said his failure to repeat past glories on Gold Cup day this year was "frustrating" but added: "It was a really wonderful day. Bit of a shame the going was so soft, but I say 'Well done Newbury.'
"It's a fabulous event with a great atmosphere and I think Newbury is the best racecourse in the country."
Scroll down to the sports section for a full report from our sports editor Malcolm Howe.