Synchronised shines in Lexus

Synchronised: Won the Lexus Chase in style under an inspired Tony McCoy

Winner as low as 12-1 for chasing's blue riband

Synchronised (8-1) won the Grade One Lexus Chase at Leopardstown for Tony McCoy and Jonjo O'Neill.

Re-routed from the Tuesday's Coral Welsh National, the eight-year-old was always travelling strongly under the champion jockey and was produced to challenge Quito De La Roque and Rubi Light on the turn for home.

His stamina was never in question so McCoy immediately committed his partner and the race was put to bed before the last.

A safe leap there sealed a big win for JP McManus' charge who stayed on strongly to beat Rubi Light (9-4) by eight lengths. Quito De La Roque, sent off the 13-8 favourite, was a further half-length away in third.

Stan James and Coral now make the winner a 12-1 chance for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup, Sky Bet introduced him to their market at 14s.

Connections Delighted

Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus, said: "That's brilliant, I couldn't be more delighted.

"Jonjo has done a fantastic job and he got a great ride. I thought the ground might be too quick for him but he handled it really well.

"In fairness, he ran well in his two hurdle races on good ground. He had 11st 11lb in the Welsh National at Chepstow and it was going to be a slog, so we made the decision to come here.

"I was a bit worried about the ground but we decided to take our chance. That gives us an idea of where we are going with him and we can look at some of the good races.

"He gets the trip and he jumps, and he'll get an entry in the Gold Cup. We'll leave it to Jonjo and we'll wait and see. He had a hard enough race there and more than likely will go straight to Cheltenham. He'll also get an entry in the English Grand National."

Hennessy Plan

Rubi Light's trainer Robbie Hennessy was not too despondent. He said: "We know he definitely stays three miles. He could go for the Red Mills or the Hennessy."

Colm Murphy, trainer of Quito De La Roque, said: "I was very pleased. He would prefer more of a test.

"He ran well for a second-season novice and we'll look at the Hennessy now."