McCoy completes National grand slam

Tony McCoy completed the full set of National successes by guiding Synchronised to victory in the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow.

The champion jockey finally ended his Grand National hoodoo when triumphing on Don’t Push It last April, while he won the Irish National on Butler’s Cabin in 2007 and the Scottish equivalent on Belmont King 10 years earlier.

Jonjo O’Neill’s Synchronised (5-1) was always travelling like he would take a hand in the finish and came to claim long-time leader Giles Cross at the second-last, despite a less than fluent leap.

A determined Giles Cross stuck with his challenger until the final obstacle, but Synchronised asserted afterwards and came home two and three-quarter lengths ahead.

I’moncloudnine claimed third, with Ballyfitz fourth. Favourite Maktu travelled with zest towards the head of affairs, but was a spent force in the home straight having been too keen for his own good.