Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Go Native is the big draw on the first day of the Northern Ireland Festival of Racing at Down Royal on Friday.
Noel Meade's six-year-old is up against Colm Murphy's improving mare Voler La Vedette in the WKD Core Hurdle.
Also in the five-strong field is Luska Lad who will be ridden by Ruby Walsh after the jockey's speedy recovery from a fall at Ascot on Saturday.
Saturday's feature race is the Group One JNWine.com Champion Chase.
Notre Pere, winner of the 2008 Welsh National and the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown, will be a leading contender.
County Meath trainer Meade could run Casey Jones despite having concerns about the going.
"We are still thinking of running him, but obviously I would not like it if it got too heavy," said Meade.
Paul Nicholls is aiming for a hat-trick of wins in the big race with My Will.
The four-times British champion trainer was successful with Taranis in 2007 and the legendary Kauto Star in 2008.
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