IT IS 14 years since Dorans Pride pulled off the Lexus Chase-Hennessy Gold Cup double in the same season but Synchronised is firmly on course to try and emulate the former Irish stalwart at Leopardstown next month.

Jonjo O’Neill produced the JP McManus-owned star to rout some of the best Irish chasers in the Lexus over Christmas and Synchronised could earn himself a Cheltenham Gold Cup place if pulling off something similar in the Hennessy.

“All going well, he’s going for the Irish Hennessy and he’s picked up well after his run at Christmas. Jonjo is very happy with him,” said McManus’s racing manager Frank Berry yesterday.

“We were delighted to see him handle the ground so well at Leopardstown. To be fair, he has looked a lot sharper this season than he has in the past. He looked a sharper horse on his first two runs of the season over hurdles.

“He’s in good order so we look forward to going for the Hennessy and we’ll get that out of the way before we make any other plans,” he added.

Synchronised – a former Welsh Grand National winner – is currently as low as 10 to 1 fourth favourite for the Gold Cup at Cheltenham.