Sherwood focused on future and next Many Clouds after wrench of Rhonehurst exit

Thursday: Wincanton

Puffin Bay marked a welcome success in the mares' maiden hurdle for trainer Oliver Sherwood, who is ready for the challenge of finding the next Many Clouds from his new yard in Lambourn.

Sherwood started training from Rhonehurst in 1984 but Warren Greatrex moved in over the summer after owners Jim and Claire Bryce purchased the premises.

The 66-year-old Chelsea fan has now switched to Neardown Stables, the former base of the retired Charlie Mann.

"It was a wrench to leave Rhonehurst, big time," he said. "I'd been there 37 years, but one door closes and another opens. It was tough to move away as I'd been nowhere else.

"We haven't had loads of runners as I've got a lot of youngsters and have to be careful on this [quicker] ground.

"We've got about 45-50 in and wouldn't have a superstar chaser. I think Jersey Bean and Springtown Lake would be my highest-rated horses."

Sherwood, a popular figure in the sport, has rebuilt before, enjoying a resurgence in the 2010s when Puffin Billy and Deputy Dan emerged along with Hennessy and Grand National hero Many Clouds – a horse the jumps fraternity took to their hearts before his death in 2017.

"It's the way the cookie crumbles and I haven't got the numbers of Nicky [Henderson] or Paul [Nicholls]," he added. "I'm happy with the team I've got and like bringing on youngsters quietly, those old-fashioned chasing types like Clouds.

"I'm 66 going on 67 going on 21! I admit I thought about packing up for a day or two but what else am I going to do? I still love the game. There are days you don't but that's the same if your name is Henderson or Nicholls and a horse goes wrong or something.

"It's great to have that winner today and when you've been at it this long you take the rough with the smooth."

Rex Dingle: set for a big-race ride at Ascot on SaturdayCredit: Mike Egerton (Getty Images)

Dingle delight

Rex Dingle, in line for a big-race ride at Ascot on Saturday on Dashel Drasher, showed no hint of nerves when steering the Anthony Honeyball-trained Marilyn Monroe to victory in the mares' novice handicap chase.

Dingle takes over from Matt Griffiths, who suffered a serious brain injury in a car crash last month, on the eight-year-old for Saturday's Grade 2 Chanelle Pharma 1965 Chase.

"It was good to get a winner," Dingle said. "I'm very much looking forward to riding Dashel Drasher. It looks competitive but he's rock solid around Ascot.

"We could do with a bit of rain but everyone is in the same boat."

Dingle is a regular rider for Dashel Drasher's trainer Jeremy Scott and added: "On ratings, he'll be the best chaser I've ridden but I'll be thinking of Matt.

"He's put a lot of work into that horse and is a big part of his life. If he goes and wins, Matt will deserve a lot of the credit."

Results, replays and analysis

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