Goonyella ready for Welsh National trip Jim Dreaper is keeping his fingers crossed Goonyella settles into his new surroundings well as he prepares for a five-night stay at Chepstow ahead of the Coral Welsh Grand National. A winner over the marathon distance at the Punchestown Festival in the spring, the six-year-old was last seen finishing a creditable fifth in the Troytown Chase at Navan and is among the market principals for Chepstow's feature event on Saturday. However, County Dublin handler Dreaper has admitted he is concerned his charge has to spend so long away from home. "It's a bit tricky getting him there. He has to travel on Christmas Eve as there are no boats for a couple of days afterwards and leaving it until the day before is too risky," the trainer told At The Races. "For most horses that's fine, but it's the first time the horse has been away overnight and he's now going to be away for five nights. "If he doesn't eat and drink enough and settle in, it probably won't help his chance. "We're going there because we think he needs everything after three miles. He's not a very quick horse, but he stays very well."
