b g Cloudings (IRE) - Celtic Cygnet (Celtic Cone)
Trevor Hemmings' homebred Cloudy Lane has headed the John Smith's Grand National antepost market since defying a 20lb rise to outpoint Ungaro by seven lengths in the Coolfun Ltd Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster on March 1, with totesport.com Becher Chase winner and former market leader Mr Pointment last of the six finishers. Cloudy Lane has enjoyed a career full of promise. He was runner-up on his career debut in a Uttoxeter bumper on April 30, 2005, and went one place better at Southwell the next month. The following campaign saw him open his account over hurdles at the third attempt, scoring over two and a half miles at Haydock in January, 2006. He returned to the course and distance the following month and, racing on heavy ground, saw off this season's Welsh National winner Miko De Beauchene. A runner-up finish at Bangor over three miles followed but Cloudy Lane ended the 2005/2006 season with a third triumph at Haydock, seeing off subsequent Pertemps Final hero Oscar Park by six lengths in the Red Square Vodka "Fixed Brush" Novices' Hurdle Final. Cloudy Lane's debut over fences came at Aintree in the Digital Prints From Bonusprint.com Novices' Chase on October 22, 2006, when he was third to Turko. He was then only sixth to Mr Pointment at Bangor that November but hit the scoresheet in a three-mile beginners' chase at Newcastle on December 16 that year. A return to the course and distance saw a blunder at the last, with the race at his mercy, bringing defeat at odds on, and a foray into handicap company in the Grade Three Red Square Vodka Gold Cup at Haydock was a bridge too far at that stage of his career as he came home a distant 10th. He bounced back in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup to give his trainer a first success at the Cheltenham Festival. His novice season ended when he was hampered and unseated Tony Dobbin in the Irish Grand National. Cloudy Lane has progressed throughout the 2007/2008 season. Defeat on his seasonal bow was followed with victory over Comply Or Die in the Sodhexo Prestige Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock on December 22. On February 9, he went to Ayr and trounced Another Rum by eight lengths, carrying top-weight of 11st 12lb on heavy going, before completing the hat-trick in fine style at Doncaster.
Race Record: Starts: 19; Wins: 9; 2nd: 4; 3rd: 1; Win & Place Prize Money: £130,960
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AINTREE GRAND NATIONAL 2008
