Listener Bang On Target

Connections of The Listener are hopeful the grey can go one better in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Twelve months ago, he was caught close home by Beef Or Salmon, who was recording his third success in the race.

The Listener was beaten into third place behind Denman on his last visit across the Irish Sea in the Lexus Chase, but has been installed 5-2 favourite with Paddy Power after 10 horses were left in at the confirmation stage.

Nick Mitchell, assistant to trainers Robert and Sally Alner, said: "He's fine and really well ? we let him down for a week to 10 days after the Lexus as he had a couple of quick trips to Ireland, but we've built him back up and he is exactly where we want him and this time he'll have his ground.

"We were delighted with his last run as he ran up to his mark and most people took his performance as gospel and rated everything else accordingly.

"To run to his mark on ground that is not his speciality was great and he went well on it and while we knew that he would, where a meeting is nearly cancelled is ground where he is at his best."

Daryl Jacob has stuck up a fine relationship with The Listener, winning two Grade Ones, including the 2006 Lexus.

Mitchell added: "Daryl rides on Sunday. He rode a good race last time as we had to ride him differently to the other races in Ireland as we had a potential superstar in the race.

"We had to try and beat Denman by taking him on and we tried a tactic that was not ideal. We were never going to outstay him so we hoped we might do him for toe but as it happened he quickened away from us. This time we will be able to ride our own race.

"Our fellow is more mature in his head and jumps a lot more sensibly and this is his year as it were. He was mugged last year, although it was a delight to be there to see Beef Or Salmon's 10th Grade One win."

Davy Fitzgerald is hoping conditions stay soft for Mister Top Notch.

"Ground is the key to this horse. He's a soft ground horse. He'd get away with soft to heavy, but heavy ground that's deep or tacky or borderline raceable he just can't handle," said the County Limerick trainer.

"He has a lot to find, he's only rated 153, but he's still improving.

"We've no other place to go, but he's entitled to be there. If the ground is no worse than the last day, he'll be taking his chance, but we have had a lot of rain.

"He's in great order. I could not be happier with him.

"The forecast is for rain, there is only one Hennessy. He has to go and take his chance, it's a top-class race."

Beef Or Salmon, trained by Michael Hourigan, was one of those to stand his ground along with stablemate Mossbank, while Willie Mullins is triple-handed with 2005 winner Rule Supreme, Hedgehunter and Snowy Morning.

Nickname, Notre Pere and a second British possible in the shape of the Paul Nicholls-trained Turko complete the list.

As expected the Tom Taaffe-trained Kicking King was not among the confirmations and will wait for the Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park on Saturday week.

"It's only two weeks on Thursday that he ran in Gowran. As much as we would have loved to run him in the Hennessy, it comes too quick after his run at Gowran," said owner Conor Clarkson.

"Tom and I are totally at one. The plan was to have another run three and a half weeks later. That time fits in nicely with the Red Mills at Gowran.

"He came out of his first race extremely well. We are very hopeful he'll run very well at Gowran again and we'll see where we go after that.

"The Red Mills Chase will tell us an awful lot and we're very much looking forward to it," he told At The Races.

Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup betting:

Paddy Power: 5-2 The Listener, 7-2 Mossbank, 4-1 Nickname, 5-1 Snowy Morning, 11-2 Beef Or Salmon, 7-1 Mister Top Notch, 9-1 Turko, 16-1 Rule Supreme, 20-1 Notre Pere, 25-1 Hedgehunter.

(C) PA Sport