Notre Pere on Becher mission

NOTRE PERE will attempt to defy the steadier of 11st 12lb in Sunday’s totesport.com Becher Chase at Aintree.

Trainer Jim Dreaper is keen to give the 2008 Welsh National hero a crack over the big fences to see if he can be prepared for the John Smith’s Grand National itself.

Notre Pere has not won since taking the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup in April 2009, but he made a pleasing reappearance at Thurles earlier this month when runner-up to Glencove Marina.