Notre Pere

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.

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.

"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. Maybe ideally he's more effective going to the left, but it's not a major problem.

"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. He'll need it a bit, but hopefully not too much. We just want to see him run a nice race."

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 had a racecourse gallop and likes soft ground, so if he runs anywhere near his mark of 165, he must have a good chance," said Tizzard. "It's a classy little race, but he is in good nick. We haven't left too much to chance."