OLIVER Sherwood, trainer of the Grand National winning horse Many Clouds, was overwhelmed this morning as hundreds took to the streets of Lambourn to welcome home the winning horse.

Sherwood may not have watched his stead cross the finishing line at Aintree yesterday but he was soaking up very bit of the celebrations in the sunshine.

After a reception at Sherwood’s Rhonehurst stables, Many Clouds was walked proudly down through the village to The George pub where an exuberant crowd of locals were waiting to pass on their congratulations.

The horse, who looked tired at the end of the biggest race on the British racing calendar, was in fine spirits as he was paraded through the hoards of people all trying to get their picture of the equine star.

The 25-1 shot, who was sixth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, is the first Hennessy Gold Cup winner to land the prestigious prize and gave Sherwood his first success in the big race, a feat that was yet to fully hit home for the 59-year-old.

When asked by the Adver if the win had sunk in yet Sherwood replied: “No, not really,

“I just can’t believe the turn out, it is pie in the sky stuff.

“The whole community has come out to embrace him today. It’s ridiculous. It’s so sublime and very humbling.

“Whoever wins it means a lot to the local community but more so for Lambourn when it is a racing centre and it is just ridiculous.”

The Leighton Aspell mount led over the last few fences after the leader, and Wiltshire-based horse, The Druid's Nephew took a tumble three fences from home, and then held off a game effort from Saint Are in the home straight.

However Sherwood admitted this morning that he did not see his horse claim the win as he turned his back on the race after the last fence, with the nerves getting the better of him.

“I was pretty calm throughout the race until after the last fence and I turned my back then, so I didn’t see him past the winning post,” he added.

“When he took it up at Valentines I thought it was a long way home from there and I have seen so many horses get caught but he managed to do it.

“It is a special horse and it is a special race.

“It is not just a race for this country, the whole world is watching, which says a lot for English racing.

“You only have to look at the publicity of it all and you do wonder why do people want that, but thank God they all came back ok.

“Balthazar King got injured but he will be back and I spoke to Philip this morning, he was the first person I spoke to, and he is ok.

“It is mental the whole thing, but it is such a lovely day and we will enjoy it.”