Gold Cup hero is fair value at 12-1

UP THE ANTE:

SYNCHRONISED has been declared a probable runner in the John Smith’s Grand National on April 14.

And, following his Gold Cup-winning display at Cheltenham last week, it is no surprise to see him a best-priced 12-1 for the Aintree spectacular.

Those are very fair odds for a horse in the form of his life, officially seven pounds well in at the weights and guaranteed to relish the four and a half miles of the big race.

If Synchronised gets to Aintree in one piece and can handled the fences, then no horse will possess more stamina.

I would not put anyone off backing him once trainer Jonjo O’Neill gives him the green light, but it would be remiss of me not to point out the appalling record horses have so soon after winning or even competing in the Gold Cup.

The last eight winners were turned out during the same season and only two of them won – both in much weaker contests.

The Gold Cup does leave its mark but, then again, Synchronised is one tough cookie. Whichever way you jump, there are merits in the argument.

For this column’s purposes, I am happy to swerve Synchronised at the moment as he has yet to be declared a definite starter.

We already have West End Rocker at 20s and Planet Of Sound at 33s in our portfolio, but the Cheltenham Festival did highlight more likely

contenders such as Kim Muir Chase first and second Sunnyhillboy and Becauseicouldntsee.

However, both had hard races and I prefer to

support contenders which have given Cheltenham a miss in order to be fresh for the National.

Prince De Beauchene is the 9-1 favourite owing to the Willie Mullins-Ruby Walsh factor, but his price is off-putting so I am quite happy to stick with our two selections and perhaps look for a third a little nearer the time.




ALREADY ADVISED: Planet Of Sound, 33-1; West End Rocker 20-1.






ANTE-POST GEMS . . . Chronicle racing correspondent Keith McHugh selected three long-priced ante-post winners at the Cheltenham Festival, while three other horses showed a significant profit by being placed. Two were withdrawn on the morning of the race and only two were unplaced. Had you backed every horse each-way to a £10 unit, you would be showing a profit of almost £500.