The Listener set for Irish Gold Cup

Racing: Robert Alner has confirmed that The Listener is on target for the Irish Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown next…

Racing:Robert Alner has confirmed that The Listener is on target for the Irish Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown next month (February 10th).

The Dorset handler has resisted the temptation to stay at home and aim his charge at the Letheby & Christopher Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday, opting instead to return to the scene of his finest triumph to date.

The eight-year-old grey jumped his rivals in to submission in the Lexus Chase last time to beat home favourite Beef Or Salmon by eight lengths in testing conditions, leaving Alner hoping for more of the same in just under three weeks time.

"We haven't been tempted by the Letheby & Christopher at Cheltenham. It's full steam ahead for the Irish Hennessy," said Alner.

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"It looks like it is going to be very soft there on Saturday but we got on fine at Leopardstown last time so we are going to go back for more.

"There is more prestige in winning an Irish Hennessy so we are not going to change our plan. Everything just seems to suit him down to the ground out there so that is where he will be going.

"After that it will hopefully be to Cheltenham for the Gold Cup - we just need the rain to keep falling as it is."

Alner has his two other stable stalwarts engaged in the Gold Cup but it seems likely that Sir Rembrandt will be aimed at Aintree instead.

"Kingscliff has just come back in from his winter break and seems in good form," he added. "Sir Rembrandt we will probably aim at the National this year and he seems in good form as well."