Notre Pere Lands Troytown Andrew Lynch, who has a torrid time with injuries, enjoyed one of his biggest wins, when getting Notre Pere home the length victor of the williamhill.ie Troytown Handicap Chase. In front five out, Jim Dreaper's charge jumped well up the straight and he had a sufficient advantage away from the last to fend off the persistent challenge of Operation Houdini by a length. Chelsea Harbour, who had constantly jumped left, did so five out, unseating Tom Doyle (kicked between the shoulders, severe bruising, stood down until Thursday) and in the process forced the Paul Nicholls-trained favourite, Officier De Reserve out through the rail. Successful trainer, Jim Dreaper said: "The shamozzle obviously helped. He is a real old fashioned chaser but he probably isn't good enough to go for the Lexus Chase. The plan now is either the Paddy Power Chase or the Welsh National at Chepstow." Dreaper won this race in 1991 with River Tarquin, and he praised the weight-carrying performance of Notre Pere (11st 7Ib) making the point that Ten Up got beaten here under twelve stone. (EM)
