Synchronised: connections pleased with the shape of their Gold Cup hero
PICTURE: Getty ImagesSynchronised team leaning towards National
CHAMPION jockey Tony McCoy has hinted that connections are leaning towards running Gold Cup winner Synchronised in the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree next Saturday.
The nine-year-old had been uneasy for the race on Betfair earlier in the week but he headed their market for the famous race for the first time on Friday morning.
Trainer Jonjo O'Neill and owner JP McManus have yet to confirm Synchronised as a definite runner at Aintree, but speaking at the Lesters on Thursday night, McCoy said: "The Gold Cup is a very gruelling race but I think Jonjo just thinks that Synchronised, in the last three weeks and even more so since the Gold Cup, is really coming to himself more now than he ever was. So if that was the case it would be very difficult not to run."
Synchronised was a weak 15-1 third-favourite for the Grand National on Betfair on Wednesday but now the exchange market is strongly suggesting that the Gold Cup winner will get the green light to run at Aintree.
Betfair spokesman Tony Calvin said: "It has been a real 'will he, won't he?' story on Betfair as regards Synchronised running in the Grand National.
"Literally two minutesbefore the last acceptance stage someone thought he wouldn't even be entered and he drifted to 149-1 to win the race on Betfair - but our market now suggests he will be running.
"He is the new 11-1 favourite on Betfair, the lowest price he has been on our market. He will certainly get much shorter though if and when he is confirmed for the race."
Read our revealing Jonjo O'Neill interview in Saturday's Racing Post - download the digital newspaper from 3am or buy it as a PDF from 9am
Comments