The Grand National has always been assumed as his long term target. He is a Gold Cup winner now so if he were yours would you let him take his chance?
There in abit of a predicament Stick, the Gold Cup is a gruelling race, and horse's that win or place in the Gold Cup usually run stinkers at Aintree, the likes of Kauto Star, Denman and Imperial Commander have all ran considerably below form when running in the Bowl at Aintree having ran in the Gold Cup. The problem is though, they will never get in off 161 again, he's surely going to go up close to a stone next year, so this could be there best chance of winning it with him. I suppose it depends on wether connections feel he can fully recover in time
I agree with Shergar that Aintree will come pretty quick, I also think he needs some juice and Aintree was riding like the M6 the last few years. With the dry winter it will probably / possibly be the same again. I wouldn't have thought the traditional Kauto route of Betfair / King George / Gold Cup will suit, so maybe next season he will have a go at an Irish winter programme (JN Wine Chase, Lexus or Irish Hennessy) before trying to defend his crown.
he is a fairly small horse, though he jumps very well- i would fear for him after 4 miles when he is tiring as he lacks the scope and the reach of the big fences
The only horses to win at the Cheltenham Festival and then at least place in the same year's National are: Won the Cheltenham Gold Cup 1934 Golden Miller placed 1 English Grand National 1946 Prince Regent placed 3 English Grand National 1991 Garrison Savannah placed 2 English Grand National Won the Cheltenham William Hill 1991 Seagram placed 1 English Grand National Won the Freddie W 2002 Blowing Wind placed 3 English Grand National
I'd let Synchronised take his chance in the Grand National Stick but Gold Cup winners who run in it the same season have a poor record - I remember Garrison Savannah, Cool Ground and The Fellow attempting the double in the 90's, and I remember Garrison Savannah being oh so close to winning the National in 1991. Synchronised seems tailor made for the race (being a Welsh National winner) and is 12/1 with William Hill.
I would not run him again this year if he was mine. Also think he would struggle to win another Gold Cup - this was his day. So I would target him for the National next year (i.e. by-pass the Gold Cup) and then he would go down in history as one of the few to win both.
That's about it I think Shergar. Second in both 2006. One of the more meaningful stats as there is some logic to support it.
I feel slightly let down, for me Synchronised is not a gold cup winning horse and The Giant Bolster is definitely not a runner up Gold Cup horse. Not sure what to make of this year, some short priced favourites turned over and some of those to be expected...but Rock on Ruby a Champion Hurdle winner and Synchronised a Gold Cup winner just doesn't sound right to me!
I have my doubts. He gets from one side of a fence to another but quite often it is a bit unorthodox. Take a look at the final fence photo in the RP, it does not say to me that Aintree national fences would suit him.
I would rest him now, he has had his 'big' race and won it. As Ron has shown the stats dont exactly make good reading and i think that it would be very hard to get a good run out him... What i will say is that the connections do have a problem as in my mind they will surely want to defend the Gold Cup crown next year. So they will prob have to miss next years Grand Natiional as well... Synchronised is a 9 year old now, defend the Gold Cup as 10 year old, miss next years Grand National then see where you are with him then. He would be 11 if my plan was to be implemented and that should be ok for him. The team and connections could have the season to plan for the Grand National in stead of trying to take both on.. Good question stick as im not totally sure what i would do... Youve got to try and defend the Gold Cup havnt you...??? It wont come around again for Synchronised or connections again. So i would rest him up now...
i find it hard to imagine given his size that he could win a grand national of top weight ,but he does tend to do well in large fields,probably suffers from "small horse syndrome" and as great determination not to be bullied or left behind ,but i think even that race is beyond him.mccoy once said he didnt think he as the scope for a race like the national. imo,i think hes just going to be a one season wonder.i dont think he is in the same league as recent gold cup winners. i had him down as a grade 3 type,but he looks to of improved late in life,although he hasnt had that many chase runs due to mixing hurdles and chases in the same season .he reminds me in a way of rooster booster who improved late for a hurdler and had that amazing season when just previously looking like he was just below top class.the following seasons though he struggled. we had a transitional year were we had 4 previous gold cup winners to start with,but then denman retired and imperial commander got injured,leaving kauto and long run.long run as looked a shadow of his former self then a rejuvenated kauto failing to run his race.the 2nd seasons chasers that do well in the gold cup were a poor bunch with the rsa top 3 falling short and not even taking part.arkle winner captain chris joined them by going up in trip and he seems out of sorts and didnt even take part.quel esprit a non runner on the day was disappointing as i thought he had a great chance. next year im expecting the 2nd season staying novices to be a better bunch then this years.bobs worth,first lieutenant,sir des champs,invictus and last installment who missed the rsa through injury, as he ran faster that day when synchronized won the lexus, look to me great prospects of adding to the great record of 2nd season chasers in the gold cup.
Talking of fancy odds, who was it that gave 3/1 for Big Buck's to go unbeaten this season? Wish I'd done some of that. Bayern Munich in town tonight playing Hertha Berlin but after winning their last 2 matches 7-1 and 7-0 they are taking it easy tonight - just leading 6-0 with a couple of minutes left
Pretty sure it was king shergar who put it up. I took the bet and look forward to aintree, for the annual stroll in the weak 3 mile race.
