Wayne Bailey / 10 April 2009 Free Bet

The Jim Dreaper trained Notre Pere heads the maximum field of 30 declared for Easter Monday's Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse. However, punters are advised to remain cautious as Dreaper may withdraw the horse on Monday morning if the ground doesn't suit. If that happens, the 'alternative handicap' will come into play and several horses will effectively be running a few pounds better off. The 'alternative handicap' prompted lively debate when hot favourite for the Pierse Hurdle Psycho was narrowly beaten by Penny's Bill (priced [90.0] on Betfair) back in January, largely due to the weights.

Dreaper told the press on Friday:

"We had no option but to declare him as we are three days away from the race. The lads will have a ride around on Sunday and they will be able to tell me what it's like....If we had a damp night without being a wet night, while it wouldn't be ideal, I would say it will be perfectly safe and that's all we need...The rain seems to be skirting around us a little bit as both we and Fairyhouse seem to be missing the rain other parts of Ireland have got over the last few days....We're in the race anyway and obviously he is being prepared as if he is going to run. He appears to be fully recovered from the minor setback he suffered last month."

The Dreaper family certainly knows what it takes to win the Irish National, with Jim winning on four occasions, while his father Tom took the prize home no less than ten times.

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