Synchronised heads 59 left in John Smith’s Grand National

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Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Synchronised remains in the John Smith’s Grand National after today’s scratchings stage and is rated 8/1 favourite by Betfred to become the first horse since Golden Miller in 1934 to win chasing’s two biggest prizes in the same season.

Synchronised is one of 59 entries going forward in the John Smith’s Grand National, which takes place over four and a half miles at Aintree on Saturday, April 14, and boasts record prize money of £975,000 in 2012.

The weights continuing to be headed by Synchronised on 11st 10lb, with last year’s John Smith’s Grand National hero, Ballabriggs, 1lb behind on 11st 9lb.

Betfred make Prince De Beauchene the 9/1 second favourite for the John Smith’s Grand National and he is one of six remaining entries from Willie Mullins’ stable and one of 23 Irish-trained entries still in the race.

On His Own, winner of the Thyestes Chase for owners Graham and Andrea Wylie. and Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup ninth The Midnight Club are among Mullins’ other entries.

Other Irish-trained contenders include the progressive Seabass, trained like the 2000 winner Papillon by Ted Walsh, and the 2011 Irish Grand National hero Organisedconfusion, the likely mount of Nina Carberry.

The Gold Cup form is also represented by fourth-placed Burton Port, Midnight Chase, who came seventh, and Weird Al, who was pulled up on Friday.

Malton trainer Malcolm Jefferson saddled a double a last week’s Cheltenham Festival and he paraded his John Smith’s Grand National hope According To Pete, winner of the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock in January, at Aintree today.

Other leading contenders include the David Pipe-trained Junior, winner of the Ascot Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2010 and the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase at the 2011 Cheltenham Festival, who is a 10/1 chance with Betfred after being beaten a short-head in a Doncaster handicap chase on March 3.

The Alan King-trained West End Rocker has not run since winning the Betfred Becher Handicap Chase over the National fences at Aintree on December 3 and is 16/1 with Betfred for the big race.

The five-day confirmation stage for the John Smith’s Grand National is on April 9 with the final declaration stage at 10am on April 12 when there can be a maximum field of 40 runners, with the provision for up to four reserves.

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