OLIVER Sherwood is “living the dream” ahead of Many Clouds’ bid for immortality in the Crabbie’s Grand National today.

The nine-year-old will carry top weight in the Aintree spectacular as he bids to become the first dual winner since the one and only Red Rum in the 1970s.

Lambourn handler Sherwood could not be happier with his stable star’s preparation, which was rounded off with a spring-heeled victory at Kelso last month, but admits it would be beyond his wildest dreams if Many Clouds makes history.

Speaking while walking the course on Friday morning, the trainer told Press Association Sport: “I’m feeling very relaxed, chilled and happy with my horse.

“All we can hope for now is some luck in running and what will be, will be.

“As I’ve said before, Kelso was the first time I think he’s been 100 per cent fit, so it’s been pretty much automatic gear for him since then.

"We’ve just kept him mentally straight. He’s had a couple of pieces of work to keep him ticking over.

"I personally think he is coming right at the right time.

“He looks and feels the exact same horse as 12 months ago. I don’t feel he has improved and he certainly hasn’t decreased in any way.

“He doesn’t have to have improved to be bang there, having only gone up a pound.

“If it happens, it happens, and if it doesn’t, it doesn’t.

"The main thing we want is for the horse to come back in one piece.

“The talking is very nearly done and at the moment, we’re still living the dream.”

Should Many Clouds suffer a mishap, Wiltshire’s hopes could rest with The Druids Nephew, trained at Neil Mulholland's Conkwell Grange stables, near Winsley.

Last year, the nine-year-old, then ridden by Aidan Coleman, fell at the fifth-last fence after looking in fine fettle at the head of the pack.

Denis O’Regan has been handed the ride for the National, with the The Druids Nephew as short at 14/1 with some bookmakers.

“I’ve been getting rides ready for Tuesday and we had ones going on Friday, and across the whole festival, so we’ve been really busy and we haven’t done much differently to normal,” the Conkwell Grange trainer told the Wiltshire Times.

“But of course, everyone gets excited about the National.

“Last year was all about Cheltenham (Festival) for him (The Druids Nephew) but this year, it’s been all about Aintree.

“Denis knows the horse really well and he’s schooled him over Grand National fences a few times in the last 10 days.

"He’s been going very well.

“When you look at it, there are some very high-quality horses out there but it’s the same for everyone.

"It’s so important to have that bit of luck. Hopefully, we get that luck.”