Marito and Roi Du Mee filled the first two places in the Listed At The Races Chase last year and the pair clash again in the Tramore feature.

Roi Du Mee, who won the two-mile-five-furlong race in 2013, shared favouritism with Marito last term, but there was no doubting the latter's superiority on the track as he comfortably prevailed.

It has certainly not been plain sailing for Marito since, though, with the eight-year-old subsequently sustaining an injury that required three months box rest.

Previously trained by Willie Mullins, he is now with Colin McBratney, who reports Marito to have made unexpectedly rapid progress in his recovery.

He said: "It was a case of him coming back right quicker than we ever thought he would.

"I didn't think he'd be running until February or March, those were the indications we were getting from the vets.

"He just came back a lot quicker than we anticipated. He got the time he needed and we just kept working away slowly."

The German-bred, who was runner-up to Hurricane Fly in the Grade One Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown in November 2013, impressed all present when taking a Kirkistown point-to-point on his debut for McBratney 33 days ago.

The County Down handler said: "He's in great form. He won his point-to-point. I don't know how good he is but he seems well in himself and he's working really well so he'll not be far away.

"He never came off the bridle when he won his point and the horse he beat (Oscar Barton) went and won the hunters chase at Down Royal as easily as Marito had beaten him.

"He's won around the track, so we'll go and take our chance.

"The first day he ran he needed the run, he's as fit as I can get him but he may even improve again out of tomorrow."

Niall Madden takes the mount on Marito with Bryan Cooper favouring Roi Du Mee over fellow Gigginstown House Stud-owned runner Rathlin

The Mullins-trained Turban and Henry de Bromhead's Aupcharlie are the local hopes, while the six-strong field is completed by the John Ryan-trained Foildubh