Jim Dreaper reports Venitien De Mai firmly on course for the BoyleSports Irish Grand National after an impressive victory at Naas on Sunday.
The novice made most of the running in the Leinster National over three miles and powered away at the business end to beat stablemate Goonyella by six lengths.
Ann and Alan Potts' charge is now set to run off a 10lb higher mark at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday and Dreaper is hoping he can handle the weight increase.
"He came out of the race well. The National weight looks fair enough as he won by six lengths," said the north county Dublin handler.
"The problem we have now is because we claimed 5lb on Sunday and if we put Johnny Burke back on we're effectively a stone higher.
"But that's the way it is. We took a chance on Sunday claiming off him and it worked out.
"He has lots of runs but is maybe a bit short of experience in a crowd of horses.
"Even on Sunday he got a clear run at every fence.
"There are some things you just can't teach them at home."
Dreaper will be bidding for a fifth win in the Irish National, having landed four out of five renewals in the 1970s.
Arkle's half-brother Colebridge gave him a first success in 1974, while Brown Lad famously claimed three triumphs in the race (1975, 76-78).
