Scottish National a possible for Goonyella Jim Dreaper has identified the Scottish Grand National as a possible option for Goonyella should he fail to make the cut for the Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree. The eight-year-old galloped relentlessly through the Uttoxeter mud to win last Saturday's Midlands Grand National, but is 70th on the list for Aintree and unlikely to make the final field for the world's most famous steeplechase. Goonyella could instead travel to Ayr on April 18, but only if conditions are suitable. Dreaper said "He seems fine. He arrived home at 6am on Sunday and we're happy with him since. "He's going to be prepared for the English Grand National. He is very unlikely to get into the race, but we have to prepare him just in case. "He has an entry in the Irish Grand National, but that is at the start of the same week in which the English National is run and I would say it's unlikely he'll run there. "The Scottish National might be a possibility, although that race is often run on quick ground, which wouldn't be to his liking. He won't run anywhere if the ground isn't right for him." The County Dublin-based trainer is keeping his fingers crossed Goonyella may get a crack at the Grand National in a year's time. "The Irish handicapper has put him up 8lb for winning the other day. I don't know what the English handicapper will put him up, but hopefully he might give us a better chance of getting into the English Grand National next year," said Dreaper.
