• Grand National

Synchronised has history in sight

ESPN staff
April 9, 2012
Synchronised stunned defending champion Long Run to claim the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March © Getty Images
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Synchronised will bid to become the first horse since Golden Miller in 1934 to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National in the same season in Saturday's Grand National at Aintree.

The Jonjo O'Neill-trained 10-year-old has been confirmed, as well as 48 others, to run at the weekend, and he will be one of the favourites after his stunning victory at Cheltenham last month.

Tony McCoy, who won the National for the first time on Don't Push It two years ago, will be in the saddle trying to make history, and the jockey is optimistic over the pair's chances.

"Jonjo is pretty happy with him so we'll have to see. I'm looking forward to it. He was obviously very tough and brave to win the Gold Cup," he told At The Races.

"He's got a lot of weight but he's a classy horse and he's won a Welsh National and a Midlands National, so he stays well and if he does take his chance hopefully he'll give a good account."

O'Neill has added another of his Festival winners in Kim Muir victor Sunnyhillboy to the field, as well as Arbour Supreme. Donald McCain will be hoping Ballabriggs repeats his triumph of last year, while also handing Weird Al a chance for glory.

The other much-fancied picks are Calgary Bay, Neptune Collonges and Alfa Beat, while Willie Mullins will be hoping Ruby Walsh can work some magic with On His Own in the absence of Quel Esprit, Apt Approach and one-time favourite Prince De Beauchene.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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