Leighton Aspell pays tribute to ‘immense’ Grand National-winner Many Clouds after tragedy at Cheltenham
Jockey left distraught as Cotsworld Chase hero dies following epic performance to beat Gold Cup favourite Thistlecrack
LEIGHTON ASPELL has spoken of his devastation after the death of Many Clouds at Cheltenham.
The 2015 Grand National winner produced his bravest performance ever to defeat Gold Cup favourite Thistlecrack in the Cotswold Chase.
But tragically he died just minutes after passing the winning post.
Elation at the head victory quickly turned to agony for Aspell, who rode the horse on all his 27 starts.
Aspell said: "It was very distressing. Even though I have had two Nationals wins and a Hennessy win I was at my happiest for those 30-40 seconds because it was just an immense performance.
"I couldn't wait to speak to Oli Bell on ITV and tell him how proud I was and how much we all loved this horse.
"He was going to come back in to a huge reception that he deserved and then suddenly it was like somebody pulling the mat completely from under your feet. You are at your lowest then."
Ten-year-old Many Clouds pulled out all the stops to hand King George winner Thistlecrack a first defeat over fences.
Aspell added: "The performance he put up was a career-best and highlighted all his qualities, jumping, staying and guts.
"I had never ridden against Thistlecrack. All I could do was go out, ride my race and if Thistlecrack came to me hard on the steel I couldn't do anything about that
"After riding in the earlier race I could tell how difficult horses were finding it jumping out of the holding ground. It was going to take a supreme effort to win on the bridle."
Many Clouds had previously suffered with post-race ataxia, a condition that causes horses to overheat after a race. But Aspell said: "He was quite stressed when he was overheating and having a wobble in the past, but this time his ears were pricked, he was walking round bright-eyed and then suddenly it just changed.
"It happened incredibly quickly."
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