Tony McCoy believes 2012 Grand National favourite Synchronised has always been the ideal type for the world’s greatest steeplechase, even though he is now a Cheltenham Gold Cup winner.
The Jonjo O’Neill-trained top weight, who is the 7/1 favourite for the Aintree marathon, aims to become the first horse since Golden Miller in 1934 to win the two biggest chases in the same season.
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Champion jockey McCoy commented: “If you had said a year ago that Synchronised had a chance of winning the Gold Cup then people would have laughed. Jonjo always thought he was more of a Grand National horse.”
On his chances of completing a historic double, McCoy, who ended his Grand National hoodoo on Don’t Push It two years ago, said: “Why not?
“Life is about being different. In this case, it’s about doing things people haven’t done before and haven’t done in a long time.”
The extreme stamina test of the four-and-a-half mile Grand National is expected to suit Synchronised even though he carries top weight of 11st 10lbs.
“The thing with the Gold Cup was about keeping him in contention,” added McCoy. “I thought from a long way out he would win because he was close enough.
“He has great stamina and a will to win. He has more heart than talent and that’s what you need to win the Grand National.
“The Grand National is different because the fences are different. You need a lot of luck. He’s only running in the Grand National because we want him to win.”