Synchronised linked with Lexus
Synchronised has been assigned 11st 6lb for the Chepstow race - the same weight he won off last year - but runs off a 5lb higher mark.
The eight-year-old is third in the weights, with weights, with Hey Big Spender [11st 7lb] and Neptune Collonges [11st 12lb] the two above him.
O’Neill said on yesterday: “I’d say Synchronished would be our number one hope. He is also in the Lexus Chase and if it came up heavy we might run him in that but Plan A is the Welsh National.”
“He’s a great little horse. He’s not that big but he’s as genuine as the come,” said O’Neill.
“He’s done very well. He’s won a Midlands National and a Welsh National with a big weight.
“He ran a blinder the other day over hurdles at Haydock. He may go back to Chepstow but he’s also entered in the Lexus so we could go either way.
“He’s probably not fast enough for that (the Lexus), but when it comes to really heavy ground he’d be as fast as they come.
“His biggest problem now is that he’s not a big horse and he’ll have to carry big weights.
“He’s in great form and I’m very happy with him. He’s very honest and he’s a great horse to have.
“He goes the same pace if it’s fast or heavy ground, but the others slow down in heavy ground.”
Hennessy winner Carruthers has 11st 3lb in the Welsh National, while other leading ante-post fancies Galaxy Rock and Beautiful Sound have been allocated 10st 11lb and 10st respectively.
The others past winners in the race are Philip Hobbs’ Dream Alliance (9st 13lb), Venetia Williams’ Miko de Beauchene (10st 5lb)and the Barry Potts-trained Notre Pere (10st 12lb).
Of those prominent in the ante-post market Gordon Elliott’s Beautiful Sound has 10st, the O’Neill-trained Galaxy Rock is on 10st 11lb, Giles Cross has 10st 1lb and Colin Tizzard’s Hey Big Spender 11st 7lb.
nOSCAR WHISKY could clash with Big Buck’s for the first time in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on December 17.
Nicky Henderson’s Oscar Whisky finished third in the Champion Hurdle last season and then won the Aintree Hurdle over two and a half miles.
He was in the process of running a big race against subsequent Fighting Fifth Hurdle winner Overturn at Ascot on his seasonal return but tipped up at the last.
Big Buck’s stretched his unbeaten run over timber to 13 at Newbury last week and is crying out for new challengers. Stablemates Celestial Halo and Five Dream could also run.
A total of 13 have been entered in the Grade One event, including Robin Dickin’s Restless Harry, an impressive winner over hurdles at Wetherby in October but only third on his chasing debut.
David Pipe’s Dynaste is a fascinating contender after his thrilling display over fixed brush hurdles at Haydock.
Dessie Hughes’ Rick is the sole Irish entry while Sparky May, Lie Forrit and Get Me Out Of Here are others in the mix.
nPAUL NICHOLLS appears to hold a very strong hand in The Ladbroke at Ascot on December 17.
The champion trainer could run 6-1 ante-post favourite Prospect Wells, Brampour, Rock On Ruby, Empire Levant, Tonic Mellysse and Edgardo Sol.
There are eight entries from Ireland with Edward O’Grady’s Sailors Warn a possible.
A Grade Two winner last season, he chased home the top-class Unaccompanied last time out.
“We would like to run Sailors Warn in The Ladbroke and we will make a final decision after the weights come out,” said O’Grady.
“He is finding it tough as a four-year-old. We were lucky enough to find a nice race for him on his seasonal debut at Limerick and then he ran up against Steps To Freedom and Unaccompanied.
“His size mitigates against him and there are certain races that are more suitable for him than others. We are looking for the next race for him and The Ladbroke could be the one.
“I would say that he is better on soft ground but we will see where we are in the weights before deciding whether to head to Ascot or not.”
Willie Mullins has entered five, with County Hurdle winner Final Approach and former smart novice Flat Out looking the pick, with Dessie Hughes’ Canaly another possible raider.
Nicky Henderson has an interesting contender in French import Rajdhani Express. Gibb River and A Media Luz are other entries from Seven Barrows.
