Listener given Ryanair target

The Listener will contest the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham next week - if he runs at all at the Festival.

Robert and Sally Alner´s triple Grade One-winner had been under consideration for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, for which he had been a 20-1 chance, but that race has been ruled out.

Instead, he will line up in the shorter Ryanair Chase as long as there is sufficient cut in the ground.

"Everybody knows he won´t run if it is too quick," said Nick Mitchell, assistant trainer to the Alners.

"He will be confirmed for the Ryanair though, but he won´t be confirmed for the Gold Cup.

"We have definitely decided it will be the Ryanair if he goes."

The Listener is as low as 5-1 with Coral for Ryanair glory.