Dreaper Maps Out Pere Plan

Jim Dreaper expects to run recent Grade One scorer Notre Pere twice more before the Royal & SunAlliance Chase in March.

The improving seven-year-old got the better of a good battle for top honours in the Knight Frank Ganly Walters Novice Chase at Leopardstown last week to leave connections considering a Festival appearance.

'He seems fine after his race and we were very pleased because he'd almost certainly be more effective when it's heavier,' said Dreaper.

'He's not the quickest horse in the world but he does jump well and he stays very well too. We were a bit worried he'd be done for pace, so it was a great result.

'We'll obviously enter him in the SunAlliance at Cheltenham and I'd imagine he'd have perhaps two more runs before going there.

'I think there is a three-mile race at Naas on January 19 and then perhaps we'd go to Leopardstown on February 10 (Dr P.J. Moriarty Novices' Chase).

'That one is only over two miles and five furlongs, but if it was heavy he could go well.'

Notre Pere is as low as 16-1 with Coral for the SunAlliance at Cheltenham, but Dreaper is keen not to get too carried away about his prospects at this stage.

'You need a horse that can do the business on the day and that race can often be one of attrition, but you do need a bit of pace to be absolutely top-class,' he added.

(C) PA Sport