Notre's Becher bid to decide the Grand plan

Keith Hamer

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.

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

"We hope to be there. He's been fine since Thurles and it was fine for a first run," said the Dublin handler.

"He had a blow, he just got left behind but he stayed on fine.

"We just need to have a run over the Aintree fences and see if we ought to maybe plan the season around having a go at the National."

Meanwhile, Eoin Griffin is keeping an eye on the weather before deciding whether to send The Last Derby over to Aintree.

"I'll be keeping an eye on the ground. It looks pretty doubtful as he wants nice ground," he said.