Goonyella can give Dreaper fifth National
Dreaper landed the contest four times in the 70’s, firstly with Colebridge and then on three occasions with the mighty Brown Lad.
In Goonyella he will saddle a progressive seven-year-old, who has a nice weight, 10-6, is a sound jumper and certain to stay this three miles and five.
Indeed, the selection has actually won over further, scoring over three miles and six at last year’s Punchestown festival.
Dreaper’s original plan was to run him in this year’s Aintree Grand National, but the horse failed to get in.
In any case he will arrive today fresh and well, having had just one outing so far this year.
That came at Clonmel in February in a Grade 3 hurdle, with Goonyella producing one of his best ever efforts to finish three and a quarter lengths second behind Don Poli. The form was boosted when Don Poli went on to score at Cheltenham.
There are obviously numerous dangers, but Goonyella wouldn’t be the first horse to win a National, after enjoying his preparatory outing over flights, and can give us a big run.
Willie Mullins’ Thousand Stars, who hinted at a return to his best form when third to Whisper and At Fishers Cross in a Grade 1 at Aintree 16 days ago, is the choice in the Grade 3 Tayto Hurdle.
Gordon Elliott’s Clarcam ran a cracker at Aintree when runner-up behind Guitar Pete and gets the nod in the Grade 2 Keelings’ Irish Strawberry Hurdle.
The nap vote falls on Tony Martin’s Marinero in the Weatherbys’ Ireland GSB Bumper.
The ex-winning point-to-pointer made a solid start on the racecourse when beaten into by Dermot Weld’s Windsor Park at Leopardstown in January.
