Dreaper virtually rules out Notre Pere for Gold Cup

Jim Dreaper has virtually ruled out the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup for Notre Pere following a disappointing effort at Fairyhouse on Saturday.

Last season's Welsh National and Guinness Gold Cup victor was beaten when unseating his rider at the final fence in the Bobbyjo Chase.

The County Dublin trainer believes the nine-year-old needs more time between his races and he will aim him at either the Powers Whiskey Irish National at Fairyhouse on April 5 or the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree five days later.

"He will not be asked to run again within three weeks of his previous run. I'd say that was possibly the mistake," said Dreaper.

"There are certain things you can only find out in a race situation.

"We'll freshen him up and he'll run again, but I would say it's almost certain he won't run in the Gold Cup. That's within three weeks, so he will probably run in either the English National or the Irish one.

"As long as the ground is not too quick and providing he seems OK, he'll run in one of those."