GOONYELLA, who has often looked a marathon winner in waiting, finally got everything right in the Listed Betfred Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter last Saturday.

Jim Dreaper’s eight-year-old, never far off the pace, took over after the 18th and was clear two out, keeping up the gallop to beat Sandra Hughes’ Raz De Maree by nine lengths in an all-Irish finish. Woodford County filled the minor berth.

Winning connections were probably happy enough that David Pipe sat the race out because he had saddled the winner for the last four years, an extraordinary achievement.

However, Goonyella (6/1) is a doughty opponent with plenty of give in the ground and galloped on strongly for talented claimer Jonathan Burke once long-time leader Samingarry dropped away. He jumped better this time and certainly had the form in the book, having finished third to Djakadam in the Thyestes at Gowran.

There have also been creditable runs in the Irish Grand National, which looks a possible target again, though Punchestown may also be on the agenda.

“He appreciated every drop of rain that fell on the course on Thursday and Friday and it made the difference to him,” said Dreaper’s son Tom. “He’s entered for the Aintree Grand National but will not get in.” (currently number 70 on 9st 13lb)

That may also be the case with Raz De Maree (number 64 on 10st 1lb), a dour stayer who kept on willingly in the closing stages. He finished fourth in the Punchestown Grand National Trial and eighth at Aintree last year but the ground at Liverpool in April is seldom soft these days, and that would also count against Hawkes Point, who did well in fourth last week but was never going to overcome the increase for his previous success at Warwick.

From now until the final curtain, A.P. McCoy’s mounts will often start at very short prices, especially in televised events, but the 5/2 about Catching On in a race of this nature startled even hardened observers.

The favourite made a hash of the eighth, giving the champion a painful fall, but the pair suffered no lasting damage. Punters will need to be aware of some truly appalling value before the great man finally walks away.