Synchronised flies to victory for JP over O’Leary

THERE aren’t too many high fliers who can get the better of Michael O’Leary but his horseracing rival JP McManus brought the Ryanair boss down to earth with a bump at Leopardstown yesterday.

O’Leary’s horse, Quito De La Roque, was favourite, but nobody had told that to the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Synchronised, who galloped away with the €150,000 Lexus Chase, leaving O’Leary’s horse trailing in third place.

The Ryanair chief could hardly believe his eyes — so much so that he was spotted sporting two pairs of glasses, one tinted for the occasional sunshine and to savour better moments earlier with Make Your Mark winning the first race and Last Instalment the Grade 1 Fort Leney Novice Chase.