AFTER creating one piece of National history in Wales, it is unlikely Jim Dreaper’s Notre Pere will be aiming for more at Aintree – just yet.

The seven-year-old became the first Irish-trained winner of the Coral Welsh National in its 113-year history at Chepstow on Saturday. The 16-1 chance, under jockey Andrew Lynch, defeated the Paul Nicholls-trained Cornish Sett by seven lengths.

Immediately following the race the bookmakers reacted by slashing Notre Pere to follow up the success in the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree in April. Having been around 33-1 and 40-1 with several firms he is now as low as 14-1 with BetFred to become the seventh Irish-trained horse in the last 11 years to win the National. The 25-1 offered by Ladbrokes, Skybet and BlueSquare would reflect better his Aintree chances as no horse has won the race in the same season in recent times – although Rag Trade, in 1976, won it in the same year. Earth Summit and Silver Birch are the only other two horses since to win both.

But trainer Dreaper, who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup as a jockey 33 years ago on Ten Up, is looking to the Festival showpiece this season rather than Aintree anyway.

Dreaper, who trains 32 horses with his son and assistant Tom, said: “He’s an out-and-out stayer at the early stage of the learning curve. But he’s developing and had done really well since his win at Navan. We went missing for many years with regard to having horses at the top end, but this is a good, honest horse.

“If I have my way he won’t go there (Aintree) this season.

“He needs at least another year but I might give him an entry for the Gold Cup.

“There’s always the chance we could get extreme conditions, like when Desert Orchid beat Yahoo, in which case we might regret not putting him in it.”

Owners Pat and Tillie Conway were represented by their son, Jarlath, are also looking to Cheltenham rather than Aintree.

Jarlath said: “I wouldn’t rule out the Gold Cup. He would love it coming up the hill, but he’d need to progress. We had this race planned out for him. We knew the track would suit, with its five fences in the home straight.

“I knew the way he was travelling and jumping he’d be right on the premises.

“We came here with plenty of confidence and I’m delighted for Jim Dreaper and the staff back home.”

Champion trainer Nicholls, who also saddled the fourth home Officier De Reserve, is looking to send Cornish Sett to Aintree.

He said: “They both ran great races. Cornish Sett will be aimed at the Grand National but I think Aintree might come a year too soon for the other horse.”

Meanwhile Exotic Dancer finally returned to the winner’s enclosure for the first time since landing the Betfair Bowl at Aintree in April last year when landing the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.

The Jonjo O’Neill-trained horse has had to settle for minor roles in Grade One company in recent seasons, finishing second or third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, King George VI Chase and the Betfair Chase in the past two years.

But he was finally rewarded for his consistency in Ireland yesterday when scoring under Tony McCoy by 20 lengths from 2006 Gold Cup hero War Of Attrition.

Tony McCoy’s always had his mount going well and after making his move Exotic Dancer was left in a clear lead as 5-4 favourite Neptune Collonges crashed out at the second last fence.

It was the Sir Robert Ogden-owned eight-year-old’s first win in Grade One company and O’Neill said: “He’s run at Kempton in the King George a couple of times and that isn’t his track so we thought we would give this a try.

“After talking to Sir Robert and Barry Simpson (racing manager) we thought this was the best option.

“I’m delighted as the horse has been a little bit unlucky and frustrating over the last couple of years. He deserves that.

“In the past things haven’t gone his way but everything went to plan today.

“He didn’t settle last time at Haydock and we planned to drop him in today. He settled better doing that and that is also how he won his handicaps.

“You never know what would have happened if Neptune hadn’t fallen but you always need a bit of luck and we got ours today.”

Exotic Dancer is now a best-priced 16-1 with totesport, Stan James, BetDirect and BlueSquare for the Gold Cup and 10-1 with Boylesports for the Ryanair Chase.

O’Neill added: “He’s got lots of options but I would like to come back here for the Hennessy and he’s in the Ryanair and Gold Cup at Cheltenham.”

TODAY’S NAP: Snowy (12.45pm Musselburgh).