Goony day for dreaper clan
FORUM journalist Lynsey Dreaper was celebrating after her father trained Goonyella to an impressive victory at the highly-regarded Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter today.
The eight-year-old, partnered by Johnny Burke, was followed home by another Irish-trained challenger in Raz De Maree and Paul Carberry
Goonyella was always well-placed although a lot of attention was on the AP McCoy-partnered Catching On which departed at the eighth fence causing Summery Justice to part company with Liam Treadwell.
'It was the right race for him - four miles on heavy ground around a big, fair track. We're over the moon,' commented Thomas Dreaper, son of the trainer.
'We came for a reason. We thought of the likes of the Kim Muir and the Irish National, but three and a half (miles) is not far enough. This was the survival of the fittest and he's got plenty of ability,' added Thomas Dreaper.
It completed a good Saturday for the Dreaper clan as they were also on the mark at Limerick when Venitien De Mai and Andrew Lynch won the opening maiden hurdle at Limerick.
Andrew Lynch was on board at Limerick as owners Ann and Alan Potts retained jockey Johnny Burke was at Uttoxeter to ride Goonyella.
See video clip of finish of Midlands Grand National taken from Channel 4 TV.