Ante-Post Focus

Will Synchronised come over here again and take the spoils or will the Irish horses strike back in the Hennessy?

He may have an Irish owner, trainer and jockey, but Synchronised is still based in England so he's viewed as a raider on his rare visits here. But the term was never more apt than when he took the Lexus Chase in spectacular fashion over Christmas.

AP McCoy piloted the nine-year-old to his first Grade 1 win and in the process he shredded rising stars like Rubi Light and Quito De La Roque as well as established names like Cooldine, Joncol and Roberto Goldback.

It was a hugely impressive show and it put Synchronised into the top rank of Cheltenham Gold Cup contenders. That may be a bit unmerited but as his final prep for the big one, O’Neill is sending him back over the sea again to try and win the Irish Gold Cup, the Hennessy. He is the current favourite and he will face a lot of familiar foes.

The one we will be watching most closely is Quito De La Roque. Highly regarded in the run up to the Lexus, Colm Murphy’s charge went of favourite for that race but never looked like catching the winner and finished 11 lengths back.

He simply has to run better in the Hennessy. If he doesn’t then last year’s novice form will just have to be written off and it is unlikely he would go for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

How Quel Esprit goes could be even more interesting. Two fine wins over soft/heavy ground have restored faith after three falls in succession over the bigger obstacles. With confidence hopefully flowing again we think this could be the race in which Willie Mullins’ horse makes a real name for himself.

Aside from Quel Esprit, there are three more entries from Mullins: Apt Approach, Blazing Tempo and Cooldine. Of these, Cooldine’s best days may be behind him but Apt Approach, winner of his last three runs, could cause a surprise and at 16/1 he might be worth a few bob each way - although it must be said that Mullins has already indicated that the Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park is the more likely stepping stone to either the Ryanair or the Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

However, Synchronised biggest challenger may come from a horse we haven’t seen in quite a while. Jessie’s Dream, who hasn’t been on a track since finishing second in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham last year behind Boston’s Angel (another who is expected to face the starter here).

Gordon Elliott is plotting to use the Hennessy to prep for the Cheltenham Gold Cup too and if Jessie's Dream hits last year’s form he could head to the Cotswolds with the Irish Gold Cup in tow. We loved this horse last year and think he's capable of doing a lot more.

It's always a risk to back a horse on their first run for almost a year out but Elliott seems confident in his comments about his chances and that's good enough for us. So a home win hopefully and at 10/1, a profitable one too.

Recommendation:

1pt win: Jessie's Dream (10/1, Boylesports)