NOTRE PERE appears to have emerged unscathed from his fall at Down Royal over the weekend, although Jim Dreaper is not rushing to make plans for his stable star’s next start.
Last season’s Welsh National and Punchestown Gold Cup winner crashed out at the fifth last fence in Saturday’s feature JNwine Champion Chase at Down Royal which was won by The Listener.
“He seems fine but we won’t really know until midweek. But he is sound to trot,” Dreaper said yesterday.
“If he is stiff and sore when he jumps, if and when we ask him, plans will be on hold. But it seems there are no great problems.”
Andrew McNamara guided The Listener to land Saturday’s €140,000 Grade One event and he could have a good afternoon at Limerick where he teams up with his in-form boss Edward O’Grady for Pesoto in the Munster Beginners Chase.
The grey ran sixth in a Leopardstown Grade One last Christmas and before that Pesoto had only been cut down in the final strides by Joncol at Punchestown.
Today’s two miles may not be ideal but ground conditions and Pesoto’s liking for racing prominently should make him a player.
The O’Grady-McNamara team can also score in the second maiden hurdle with Rigour Back Bob while Marlay Park has the bumper form to win today.
