Notre Pere to swerve National bid

Notre Pere is set to miss the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday due to the prolonged dry spell.

The 10-year-old requires plenty of cut in the ground and is highly unlikely to get his conditions.

His trainer Barry Potts is now looking to the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup which the horse won on heavy ground in 2009 when he was with Jim Dreaper, as long as conditions ease appreciably.

“It looks highly unlikely that he’ll run on Monday,” said the Co Tyrone handler.

“There is the Punchestown Gold Cup but we’ll play it by ear with him as it’s not looking good at the moment. It’s one of the driest springs I’ve seen in a while.

“We won’t abuse him on quick ground and if we look after him we’ll have him for next year.

“We’ll look at staying chases next season – the likes of the Welsh Grand National (a race he won in 2008).”