Age concern for Goonyella camp Jim Dreaper's one concern about Goonyella's chance in the Coral Welsh Grand National is his relative youth for the Chepstow endurance test. The ante-post favourite represents a stable which took the event with Notre Pere five years ago but this gelding is only into his second season under Rules. Goonyella, who was briefly in the care of Nigel Twiston-Davies before earning his spurs on the Irish pointing circuit, won over heavy ground and three and three-quarter miles at the last Punchestown Festival. On his return, he was second at Galway before taking fifth in the Troytown at Navan. "He needs all the distance you can find after three miles, he seems to stay extremely well, and obviously the Chepstow race is ideal for that sort of horse," said Dreaper. "It does tend to be a bit of a slog in the mud, and we're hoping it comes up soft again. He definitely has a chance, he's only six and it's possibly pitching him in a bit too much or a bit too high at this stage of his life but he doesn't know he's six and we're anxious to have a go." Making comparison with his former charge, who went on to take a Punchestown Gold Cup, Dreaper told BBC Radio Wales: "The only similarity with Notre Pere is that they're both genuine, honest stayers. "The hustle and bustle won't upset him much, we're just hopeful he travels well and settles in."
