Notre Pere has been crowned the first Irish-trained winner of the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow.

Trained by Jim Dreaper and ridden by Andrew Lynch, the seven-year-old produced a textbook round of jumping to take this valuable Grade Three handicap at odds of 16-1.

Cornish Sett edged top-weight Halcon Genelardais for second with Officier De Reserve fourth.

Notre Pere, a good winner at Navan last time out, had already proved his stamina finishing third in this year's Irish Grand National.

This effort by far eclipsed that achievement, however, as Lynch's mount joined Officier De Reserve and Sherwoods Folly in an absorbing three-way scrap at the third-last.

Notre Pere cosily outstayed those two rivals and powered clear at the penultimate obstacle to finish seven lengths clear.

Dreaper said: "We thought he was not good enough to have a go at the best horses at level weights, which I still believe.

"This was the option over Christmas - a handicap - and he won a good one at Navan last time.

"He had to improve from Navan and he did.

"He's a good old-fashioned horse - he's not too quick, but he's honest."

Although Notre Pere was predictably cut in price for the John Smith's Grand National, Dreaper would prefer not to run him at Aintree next April.

"If I had my way, he wouldn't run because he's only eight (next year)," added the trainer.

"Maybe if we are all around in a couple of years' time, but probably not now."