Crucial gallop for Synchro

Synchronised faces a crucial piece of work on Jonjo O’Neill’s gallops next week as connections mull whether to let the smart stayer take his chance in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

Having been dubbed as a mudlark in the past, the nine-year-old surprised plenty of people when handling the sounder surface and bolting up in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

He now heads the betting for next weekend’s Hennessy and although O’Neill suggested there were some doubts about his participation on Thursday, Frank Berry, racing manager for owner JP McManus, remains hopeful the gelding could yet make the line-up.