RACING/NATIONAL NEWS:SYNCHRONISED REMAINS favourite to defy history and become the first horse since Golden Miller in 1934 to add the John Smith's Grand National to his Cheltenham Gold Cup victory in the same season.

The nine-year-old is 6 to 1 favourite with Ladbrokes to complete a landmark double for owner JP McManus, trainer Jonjo O’Neill and champion jockey Tony McCoy, who took Aintree glory with Don’t Push It in 2010.

Synchronised has the extra burden of carrying top weight of 11st 10lb after a maximum field of 40 were declared for tomorrow’s four and a mile-half spectacular.

All the other leading fancies are in the final line-up, including last year’s winner Ballabriggs, trained by Donald McCain.

He will attempt to be the first since Red Rum, trained by McCain’s father Ginger, to land back-to-back victories in the world’s greatest steeplechase in 1973-74.

Ballabriggs is 12 to 1 with the “Magic Sign” to win again and Trevor Hemmings’ horse pleased McCain in a schooling session on Thursday morning.

“He had a nice run round Kelso on his reappearance and did what we needed to do. He’s come home and had a school again this morning and we’re very happy with him,” said McCain.

“You never really know, but the signs were good enough at Kelso. He ran the same if not a touch better than last year.”

On His Own, the mount of Ruby Walsh, heads Willie Mullins’ team while the jockey’s sister Katie will be aboard Seabass for their father, Ted Walsh.

Nina Carberry, who is also bidding to become the first female rider to win the race, will be aboard Organisedconfusion for her uncle, Arthur Moore.

Ladrokes betting on the John Smith’s Grand National: 6-1 Synchronised, 9-1 Junior, 10-1 Cappa Bleu, On His Own, 11-1 West End Rocker, 12-1 Ballabriggs, Giles Cross, 14-1 Seabass, 16-1 Killyglen, Chicago Grey, Sunnyhillboy, Treacle, 20-1 bar.