Los Amigos to be aimed at Irish National

The Jim Dreaper trained Los Amigos overcame a near year-long layoff to win the opening #BoylesIGN Rated Chase at Fairyhouse today, setting himself up for a run in April's Irish Grand National at the same venue.

Carrying the colours of Pat Conway, whose Notre Pere won the 2008 Welsh National for Dreaper, the son of Overbury battled well from the last to beat 2012 Irish National winner Lion Na Bearnai by half a length.

Dreaper later stated "that's a lovely re-introduction. We had hoped to go for the Irish National last year but he banged a joint the week before and needed time off after that, so he's late reappearing.

"He's handicapped to win a big race and the Irish National will be the aim again. We were interested to see where he was at and we'll see how he is in the morning but the leg seems fine.

"There is room for another run in between and he could go to Naas for the Leinster National. He might be one that runs best fresh."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson