Dreaper hoping Pere shines again Jim Dreaper is keeping his fingers crossed Notre Pere can show some of his old spark when he returns to action in the Thurles Chase on Thursday. The nine-year-old enjoyed a fantastic run of form a couple of seasons ago, winning the Welsh National and landing the Guinness Gold Cup at the 2009 Punchestown Festival. He failed to rediscover that form during his last campaign but Dreaper hopes he can start off on his road to redemption tomorrow. "We're trying to forget last year really, as it all went pear-shaped," said Dreaper. "He seems in good form but often with these older horses, you're not really sure until you run them. "We're hoping for the best, but what we'll see what happens and move on from there." Notre Pere does hold an entry in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on November 27, where he would run with a light weight from out of the handicap if Kauto Star takes his place as top-weight. "Everything is possible at the moment. He has an entry in the Hennessy but we need to get the right vibes from him and see how he gets on tomorrow," the trainer added. The gelding will face just four rivals on Thursday with three other Grade One winners lining up in Follow The Plan, Rare Bob and Glencove Marina. Pink Suitcase completes the line-up and is likely to be a long-priced outsider.
