Verdict

The great Golden Miller, in 1934, was the last chaser to win both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National in the same season so the omens aren't good for Synchronised, though modifications to the Aintree fences have seen the better horses towards the top of the handicap start to dominate recently. The J P McManus-owned Don't Push It won the National under 11st5lb for the Jonjo O'Neill/A P McCoy partnership two years ago so connections know what it takes to win the big race and Synchronised has more class than the 2010 hero. With plenty in his favour, the nine-year-old must go well granted luck in-running though the same owner and trainer also have another viable candidate in Sunnyhillboy. He's likely to be around three times the odds of his stable companion and showed himself to be back to his best when easily beating Becauseicouldntsee in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir at Cheltenham and he's better off at the weights with Organisedconfusion than when finishing third to Nina Carberry's mount in last season's Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse. Junior's Doncaster second has been franked and he's been laid out for this, as has West End Rocker who was brought down on the first circuit in the National last year but made a successful return to the track in December and will enjoy the ground. The Irish challenge can never be discounted but stamina could be a problem for Katie Walsh's partner Seabass, who has been deserted by Ruby Walsh in favour of Willie Mullins' On His Own, a winner at Gowran in January and lightly-raced this term. But we prefer KILLYGLEN, who was travelling as well as anything last year when falling four out. He races off a 5lb lower mark this time around and Stuart Crawford has been very bullish about his chances all season. A recent victory at Down Royal shows he is in good heart and he gets the nod as last year's winner Ballabriggs has 10lbs more to carry this time and may struggle to confirm running with third Cappa Bleu, while recent rain has turned the ground against Chicago Grey. Giles Cross has to be worth a second look, however, as he was clear of the remainder when second in the Welsh National in December and stayed on dourly to get the better of Neptune Collonges in the Grand National Trial at Haydock in February off today's mark. Calgary Bay, Shakalakaboomboom and According To Pete have all been in great form lately but the marathon distance will test the stamina of all three to the limit while it looks like 2009 winner Mon Mome is a light of former days.

Formwatch

Synchronised (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear on inside, pushed along 13th, headway 18th, switched outside approaching 3 out, 5th and outpaced when switched inside before next, soon ridden, switched right to challenge approaching last, led flat, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs G1 (1) gd in Mar beating The Giant Bolster (11-10) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.

BallaBriggs (IRE) 2-1 (11-4) Tracked leading pair, blundered 8th, went 2nd when blundered 11th, soon dropped to 3rd, stayed on to lead flat, headed and outpaced entering final furlong, weakened towards finish, 4th of 5, 9l behind Master Of The Hall (11-8) at Kelso 2m 6f chs (2) gd in Mar.

Weird Al (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Behind, reminders after 12th, soon struggling, lost touch and pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Synchronised (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs G1 (1) gd in Mar, 14 ran.

Neptune Collonges (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Tracked winner, took closer order 8th, ridden and every chance last, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 14, nk behind Giles Cross (10-5) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy in Feb.

Calgary Bay (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, steady headway from 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, led before last, stayed on well, won at Doncaster 3m Listed Handicap Chase (0-155) (5yo+) (1) gs in Jan beating Shakalakaboomboom (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.

Alfa Beat (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Prominent, slight mistake 6th, a little slow 5 out, no extra approaching straight, pulled up after 2 out, in a race won by Prince De Beauchene (11-3) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f chs G2 (1) sft in Feb, 8 ran.

Planet of Sound 9-2 (11-12) Held up off the pace towards rear, steady headway to 4th approaching halfway, went 3rd 13th, driven and no chance with leading duo from after 4 out, 3rd of 10, 17l behind Nacarat (11-8) at Kempton 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Feb.

Black Apalachi (IRE) 18-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, dropped to last 6th, a lot to do approaching 5 out, poor 6th into straight, went 4th at last, ran on well run-in without troubling comfortable winner, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Prince De Beauchene (11-3) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f chs G2 (1) sft in Feb.

Deep Purple 8-1 (11-8) Chased leading trio and off the pace, lost 4th approaching halfway, dropped towards rear and mistake 11th, poor 7th when fell 14th, in a race won by Nacarat (11-8) at Kempton 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Feb, 10 ran.

Junior 11-4fav (11-8) Led, not fluent 4th, headed next, tracked leader, chased clear leader from before 14th, headway 2 out, a close 3rd when left 2nd last, every chance run-in, kept on towards finish, just held, 2nd of 6, shd behind Ikorodu Road (10-0) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar.

Chicago Grey (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Chased leaders mainly 5th, lost touch with easy winner after halfway, went moderate 2nd approaching 3 out where mistake, jumped left last and almost unseated rider, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 16l behind Rubi Light (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.

Tatenen (FR) 25-1 (11-7) Raced wide, chased leaders, blunderd 9th, lost place next and never on terms after, 5th of 8, 44l behind Riverside Theatre (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Feb.

Seabass (IRE) 5-4fav (11-7) Always prominent, led or disputed lead, narrowly headed entering straight, not fluent final 2 fences, kept on well under pressure run-in to lead again closing stages, won at Naas 2m chs G2 (1) sft in Feb beating Zaarito (11-4) by 1l, 6 ran.

Shakalakaboomboom (IRE) 11-10fav (11-3) Held up in touch, challenged 9th, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression on winner when drifted left last, no extra, 2nd of 14, 11l behind Kilmacowen (11-3) at Warwick 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.

West End Rocker (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway 10th, went 2nd 17th, led 3 out, clear last, stayed on well, won at Aintree 3m 2f lstd hcp chs (1) hvy in Dec beating Niche Market (11-5) by 22l, 14 ran.

According To Pete 11-4 (11-4) Led, blundered 9th, soon headed, chased leader after 11th, every chance when not fluent last, headed flat, soon dropped to 3rd, rallied to 2nd final 100 yards, not pace of winner, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Master Of The Hall (11-8) at Kelso 2m 6f chs (2) gd in Mar.

On His Own (IRE) 10-1 (10-2) Close up throughout, in front 7 out, clear approaching straight, soon reduced lead, went on again from 3 out, a bit awkward next, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Gowran Park 3m hcp chs sft in Jan beating Tullintain (10-0) by 13l, 18 ran.

Always Right (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway 14th, chased winner from 5 out, every chance and mistake 3 out, ridden and quickly weakened before 2 out, pulled up, in a race won by Giles Cross (10-5) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy in Feb, 14 ran.

Cappa Bleu (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, steady headway before 11th, went 3rd before 4 out, ridden and hit 3 out, rallied to dispute 2nd before last, no extra flat, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Massini's Maguire (10-13) at Ascot 3m hcp chs Listed (1) gs in Feb.

Rare Bob (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Rear of mid-division on inner, 6th entering straight, closer in 4th 2 out, 3rd before last but no impression on first 2 run-in, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Paddy Pub (9-7) at Naas 3m hcp chs sft in Mar.

Organisedconfusion (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, moderate 7th 4 out, ridden from next, moderate 6th 2 out, kept on from last, 5th of 10, 33l behind The Sneezer (9-8) at Gowran Park 2m 2f hcp chs sft in Mar.

Treacle (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) In rear, never a factor, ridden into 5th approaching last, kept on under pressure to go 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Quel Esprit (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Feb.

The Midnight Club (IRE) 100-1 (11-10) In rear, hampered 2nd, struggling 15th, never dangerous, 9th of 14, well behind Synchronised (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.

Mon Mome (FR) 50-1 (11-2) Mid-division, struggling 13th, soon behind, 12th of 19, well behind Alfie Sherrin (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.

Arbor Supreme (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Held up mid-division, weakened from 4 out, 10th of 12, 46l behind Dais Return (11-1) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.

Sunnyhillboy (IRE) 13-2fav (11-11) Mid-division, headway and in touch on outside 14th, chased leaders on inside approaching 2 out, went 2nd last, ridden to lead flat, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f Amateur Handicap Chase (0-145) (5yo+) (2) gd in Mar beating Becauseicouldntsee (11-9) by 4 1/2l, 23 ran.

Killyglen (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, headway into 2nd approaching straight and led before 2 out where slight mistake, asserted before last and kept on well run-in, won at Down Royal 3m 2f chs sft in Mar beating Saddlers Storm (10-11) by 6l, 8 ran.

Quiscover Fontaine (FR) 14-1 (10-11) Towards rear, some late headway straight, never a factor, 16th of 30, 20l behind Citizenship (10-3) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 in Jan.

Tharawaat (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Prominent, led 3rd, joined into straight, soon headed and no extra 2 out, 7th of 12, 25l behind Hans Crescent (9-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 in Feb.

Becauseicouldntsee (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Led, headed 3 out, regained lead next, soon ridden, headed flat, kept on same pace, 2nd of 23, 4 1/2l behind Sunnyhillboy (11-11) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Amateur Handicap Chase (0-145) (5yo+) (2) gd in Mar.

State of Play 28-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, lost place 17th, 11th and outpaced 3 out, ridden and stayed on under pressure from last, went 4th towards finish, no impression, 4th of 40, 17l behind Ballabriggs (11-0) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr '11.

Swing Bill (FR) 20-1 (11-6) Mid-division, lost place 15th, soon behind, 17th of 23, well behind Sunnyhillboy (11-11) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Amateur Handicap Chase (0-145) (5yo+) (2) gd in Mar.

Postmaster 11-4 (11-11) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 13th, led 3 out, stayed on well, won at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (6) gd in Mar beating Bermuda Boy (11-5) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.

Giles Cross (IRE) 4-1fav (10-5) Made all, pressed from 3 out, kept on towards finish, pushed out, won at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy in Feb beating Neptune Collonges (11-5) by nk, 14 ran.

Midnight Haze 16-1 (10-7) Keen early, led to 2nd, tracked leaders, outpaced 2 out, soon ridden, no impression between last 2, 6th of 16, 13l behind Balthazar King (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar.

Vic Venturi (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders on outer, 6th halfway, no extra from 3 out, eased when beaten in straight, 12th of 17, 42l behind Salsify (11-11) at Leopardstown 3m hts chs gs in Feb.

In Compliance (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, 3rd 3 out and soon no extra under pressure, 3rd of 8, 37l behind Killyglen (11-0) at Down Royal 3m 2f chs sft in Mar.

Viking Blond (FR) 6-1 (10-4) Chased leader until 10th, chased leading pair until 12th, mistake next, tailed off when hampered 14th, 5th of 12, 49l behind Massini's Maguire (10-13) at Ascot 3m hcp chs Listed (1) gs in Feb.

Hello Bud (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Led 1st until 12th, outpaced after 16th, well held 3 out, 4th of 10, 33l behind Marufo (10-4) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Mar.

Neptune Equester 11-2 (9-8) Held up in rear, pushed along and blundered 12th, soon tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Ikorodu Road (10-0) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar.