Grand National: Synchronised favourite to defy weight of history

The nine-year-old is 6-1 favourite with Ladbrokes to complete a landmark double for owner J P McManus, trainer Jonjo O’Neill and champion jockey Tony McCoy, who took Aintree glory with Don’t Push It in 2010.

Synchronised has the extra burden of carrying top weight of 11st 10lb after a maximum field of 40 were declared for tomorrow’s four and a mile-half spectacular. All the other leading fancies are in the final line-up, including last year’s winner Ballabriggs, trained by Donald McCain.

He will attempt to be the first since Red Rum, trained by McCain’s father Ginger, to land back-to-back victories in the world’s greatest steeplechase in 1973-74.

Ballabriggs is 12-1 with the ‘Magic Sign’ to win again and Trevor Hemmings’ horse pleased McCain in a schooling session yesterday morning. “He had a nice run round Kelso on his reappearance and did what we needed to do. He’s come home and had a school again this morning and we’re very happy with him,” the Cholmondeley trainer told At The Races. “You never really know, but the signs were good enough at Kelso. He ran the same if not a touch better than last year.”

McCain proved his team remain in great form when winning the Fox Hunters’ Chase with his old favourite Cloudy Lane yesterday.

On His Own, the mount of Ruby Walsh, heads Willie Mullins’ team while the Irish jockey’s sister Katie will be aboard Seabass for their father, Ted Walsh.

Nina Carberry, who is also bidding to become the first female rider to win the race, will be aboard Organisedconfusion for her uncle, Arthur Moore.

Among the other major contenders are Giles Cross, West End Rocker, Junior, Cappa Bleu, Chicago Grey and Killyglen.

Le Beau Bai has been withdrawn, and connections had warned earlier in the week the ground may not be soft enough for the Welsh National winner, who was a top-priced 40-1.