Jim Dreaper is looking forward to seeing his stable star Notre Pere make his first start of the campaign in the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal on Saturday.

The eight-year-old showed serious progression last season, winning the Welsh National at Chepstow before rounding off the campaign with an impressive display in the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup.

Dreaper admits the right-handed track on Saturday is probably not ideal, but he is just keen to get a run into his charge before considering future plans.

"He's fine and in good form and we're looking forward to getting started with him," said Dreaper.

"The ground should be fine for him and maybe ideally he's more effective going to the left. It's not a major problem but he just leans a bit to the left all the time.

"He's straight enough to run but he is a lazy, relaxed big horse, so hopefully the run will improve him a good deal.

"I just want to get him going, get the run under his belt and see where we go. Hopefully he'll run a good race."

Nick Mitchell's The Listener has won three Grade One chases in Ireland but needs to bounce back to form having failed to get his head in front since February 2008.

"He seems in good form at the moment and the horses just weren't right last year," said Mitchell.

"We made a few changes last spring and they have been running much better this year, so hopefully he can show some of that old spark.

"He looks and feels like he retains plenty of enthusiasm and plenty of ability, so we can only keep our fingers crossed that he puts up a good show.

"Conditions-wise we can't make any excuses as they are in his favour, but that does mean they are in Notre Pere's favour as well.

"Our horse always comes on for his first run so he'll need it a bit, but hopefully not too much.

"We just want to see him run a nice race and hopefully we'll see what we've got."

Joe Lively has been off the track with injury since February but trainer Colin Tizzard is confident his charge is fit enough to give a good account.

"He's arrived there in good form and had a canter on the course this morning, so we're looking forward to it," said Tizzard.

"The injury he got was mainly superficial and he has been back in four months. He's had a racecourse gallop and likes soft ground so if he runs anywhere near his mark of 165, he must have a good chance.

"It's a classy little race but we expected it to be and he is in good nick. We haven't left too much to chance."

Eight horses go to post for the Grade One contest with the Paul Nicholls-trained My Will joining The Listener and Joe Lively on the trip from England.

Mouse Morris' 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero War Of Attrition, Noel Meade's Casey Jones, Natal and Trotsky complete the field.