RACING:RESOLUTE stayer Synchronised helped Tony McCoy complete a grand slam of National victories in the Coral-sponsored Welsh version at Chepstow on Saturday.

The race, carried over from Christmas, will not earn the champion jockey the same widespread recognition as his triumph aboard Don’t Push It at Aintree last year. But he joins Ruby Walsh as the only current rider to have lifted the great handicap chases of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Synchronised (5 to 1) had preceded Don’t Push It’s success by winning the Midlands National last March and it appeared inevitable he would be involved in the finish with McCoy always looking confident. Although there had been market confidence for Synchronised during the week, he was usurped as favourite on the day by Maktu (9 to 2).

Pat Murphy’s star played a major part before finishing fifth but he was outshone by Victor Dartnall’s Midlands National third Giles Cross, who ran a mighty race from the front under Harry Skelton and appeared to be travelling within himself into the final half-mile. However, the fact they had already ploughed through more than three miles of Chepstow mud was bound to have an effect and Synchronised moved dangerously alongside with a couple of fences left to jump. As talented as Skelton is, McCoy with his eyes on the prize is not a man to be trifled with and he had forged two and three-quarter lengths clear by the line in the iconic green and gold silks of JP McManus. McCoy said: “I’ve won the English, Irish and now Welsh Nationals for Jonjo and JP, so that’s very special.”