Notre Pere also won the Welsh Grand National in December

Notre Pere, the 15-8 favourite, ridden by Andrew Lynch and trained by Jim Dreaper, won the Punchestown Gold Cup by a comfortable margin of 13 lengths.

The Welsh Grand National winner came home ahead of Schindlers Hunt (16-1) in second and ScotsIrish (12-1) in third.

"The rain maybe helped us and it maybe worked against others," said Dreaper, who had scratched the horse from a number of top British staying chases.

"He was in great order for the Welsh National and was in great order here."

He added. "The long-term aim is to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup and he has a chance of doing that if it is heavy ground."

Dreaper was bridging a 15-year gap since his last success in the race as Notre Pere relished the muddy conditions and proved himself a legitimate opponent for Kauto Star and Denman.

Andrew Lynch had the market leader in the vanguard throughout and the pair started to put daylight between themselves and the rest of the field heading towards three from home.

There was no chance of Notre Pere faltering in the conditions - it had rained all morning - and he galloped on to win with ease.

A crack at Denman and Kauto Star failed to materialise this season after a problem forced him out of the Gold Cup, and a trip to the vets now beckons to remove a piece of Welsh National birch lodged inside the French-bred's leg.

Dreaper explained: "He got a piece of birch stuck in his leg at Chepstow and will be operated on next week to have it removed.

"His leg swelled up with it after Chepstow, and again on 1 March and the vet had to do an ultrasound to see what it was.

"It is 4mm long and just under his skin - but we will get it out this week."

Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup
1. Notre Pere (A E Lynch) 15-8 fav
2. Schindlers Hut (P W Flood) 16-1
3. Scotsirish (R Walsh) 12-1
4. Roll Along (G Lee) 10-1
12 ran, Dist: head, 13 lengths

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