McCoy cautious over Synchronised hopes

AP McCoy may be aboard the class horse of the Grand National, but he’s taking nothing for granted in the race where absolutely anything can happen.

Synchronised obviously benefited from an off day from Long Run at Cheltenham, but took the best possible advantage to run out a very impressive winner of the Gold Cup.

I’m confident of a good ride, but this race isn’t like any other.

AP McCoy

He strode away to glory up the testing hill to show that there will be few stamina doubts surrounding him when the National gets underway on Saturday afternoon.

Synchronised is 7/1 to win the National, with West End Rocker 10/1 and last year’s winner Ballabriggs 12/1.

McCoy, however, has seen it all before and suggests that success in a huge Cheltenham event may not necessarily mean ready made success around Aintree.

He said: “He proved himself a very tough horse and did brilliantly, but he has a lot of weight in the National, although he stays well and the rain has come in time to soften it up a bit for him.

“Yes, I’m confident of a good ride, but this race isn’t like any other and I’ve seen good jumpers – such as Synchronised – fail to perform up there whereas lower quality horses sometimes go very well.

“He’s surprised us in the past though and we’ll have to wait and see what else he may have up his sleeve so to speak.”

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