Dreaper full of hope for Goonyella Jim Dreaper's Goonyella spearheads a three-pronged Irish challenge in Saturday's Betfred Becher Chase at Aintree. Goonyella is joined by Gordon Elliott's recent Troytown Chase winner Balbriggan and Thomas Gibney's outsider Lion Na Bearnai. Goonyella ran with credit in both the Welsh and Irish Grand Nationals last season and warmed up for his trip to Aintree with a narrow defeat over hurdles at Punchestown last month. Teenage sensation Johnny Burke takes the mount on what will be his first ride over the National fences. Dreaper said: "We're going there full of hope. We're looking forward to seeing him go over the Aintree fences. He's usually a good, accurate jumper and a good stayer. "I think the Grand National distance would actually suit him perfectly, but he just failed to get into last year's race and he needs to go up in the weights. "The heavier the ground, the better for us as our horse wouldn't be the quickest and it might just slow the others down. They tell me the ground is on the soft side, so we won't have any complaints." Elliott is also hopeful Balbriggan will take to the obstacles. He said: "He came out of the race well the other day. "He has schooled well, he has a nice weight on 10st 10lb and these are the type of races he'll have to go for now." David Pipe has a couple of major contenders in The Package and Our Father. Stable jockey Tom Scudamore has sided with the former, but feels both horses are capable of making their presence felt. "The Package ran a great race in the Grand National for a long way, until his stamina gave way. I think he's got a decent chance," Scudamore told At The Races. "He ran back at Cheltenham and finished sixth. Maybe the ground was a little bit heavy for him that day. "You don't have to look too far back through his form to find some good form. He was third at the Cheltenham Festival and he's running off 2lb lower. "He's one of the yard's old favourites, he's been a fantastic servant and it would be nice to go and win another big pot with him. "Our Father seems to have that sort of record. He's got the blinkers on and he seems in good order. "David has two good chances and hopefully he's put me on the right one. "There are plenty of good horses in the race." The Harry Fry-trained Mendip Express is one of the least exposed runners in the field, having won four of his seven starts and three of his five outings over fences. Fry said: "Hopefully his career in point-to-points might stand him in good stead for a race like this as he doesn't have that much experience under Rules. "I was delighted with his win over hurdles at Warwick, I know it was a completely different level to what is required here but he couldn't have done it any easier. "It was nice to see the second come out and win well and while it was at a low level, it is better to see them win than get beat, it can't do any harm." Mon Parrain and Just A Par represent champion trainer Paul Nicholls. He said: "Both Mon Parrain and Just A Par have been aimed at the Becher Chase. Just A Par had a run at Wincanton the other day and he could do well in a race like this. "Mon Parrain was a little disappointing at Cheltenham last month but he often needs a run or two to get back to his best. "He has jumped round the Grand National course well in the past and the big fences will hopefully spark him up again."
