Racing:Synchronised landed a dramatic race for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup in the hands of champion jockey Tony McCoy. The 8-1 shot, owned by JP McManus and trained by Jonjo O'Neill, only took the lead for the first time after jumping the last fence.
He galloped on strongly to head The Giant Bolster (50-1) and strike by two and a quarter lengths, with last year’s winner Long Run, the 7-4 favourite, only third, another three-quarters of a length away. Dual winner Kauto Star was pulled up at the ninth fence by Ruby Walsh after losing his place.
McCoy said: “It’s great for Jonjo and JP McManus. He’s really delivered today. He was off the bridle the whole way and when I missed the third-last I thought my chance had gone.”
McCoy, who secured his second Gold Cup victory after Mr Mulligan struck in 1997, added: "He's an amazing horse and it was an amazing performance. I'm so pleased to win it for JP as he's been so good to me.
"Jonjo has done an incredible job. I've got a Grand National and a Gold Cup out of the man and I love him to bits. Jackdaws Castle looks a closed shop with JP and just a few other owners and I can't understand why he doesn't get more horses."
Trainer Paul Nicholls said Kauto Star, whose participation in the Gold Cup was in jeopardy following a schooling fall a fortnight ago, had returned from the race unscathed. He said: "He's absolutely fine. Ruby wasn't happy after he'd jumped a couple of fences and we said if he wasn't happy to pull him up, and he's done the right thing. There's obviously something tweaking him."
Midnight Chase set out to make all of the running and initiated a strong pace, with Kauto Star and Long Run close up. There was drama at the second fence when What A Friend, part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, fell.
Soon after it became evident Walsh was not happy with Kauto Star and pulled him up. Time For Rupert got the better of Midnight Chase before four out, but he was soon swamped. The Giant Bolster then looked like landing a major shock as he took the lead on the turn for home.
Long Run was in the front rank, but Sam Waley-Cohen was hard at work on him and he failed to show the same acceleration that won the race 12 months ago. Burton Port also tried to close, but it was Synchronised who was delivered to perfection by McCoy as his stamina proved crucial.