Alner was seriously injured in a car crash in 2007, an accident which left him paralysed and in need of a wheelchair, but continued to train under a joint licence with his wife, Sally, until 2010.

Andrew Thornton’s retirement at Uttoxeter today will signal the end of an era in weighing rooms up and down Britain.

The North Kerry Harriers staged their annual Ballybunion point-to-point fixture on Saturday evening and Carrigtwohill owner/trainer Don Browne’s Cloneen Storm (11/10) lit up the seven-race session for many by registering a gallant front-running success under a well-judged ride from James Hannon in the open lightweight.

TOM COOPER is preparing his stable star Forpadydeplasterer for a crack at the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day.

MOUSE Morris’ horses appear to be well forward and his China Rock gets the vote to land the Grade 2 Gowran Park Champion Chase at the Kilkenny track this afternoon.

Andrew Thornton was quick to pay tribute to Robert and Sally Alner after news of their retirement from the training ranks emerged.

Exotic Dancer is among eight possibles for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday.

THE LISTENER is going to have a session with respected horse trainer Yogi Breisner today ahead of his third successive appearance in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown on February 8.

Davy Russell believes there is no pressure on him as he bids to extend his 100% record to three on War Of Attrition in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown on Sunday.

BARRY GERAGHTY has been passed fit to ride former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kicking King in The Star “Best For Racing Coverage” Chase at Punchestown tomorrow.

The Listener has left the yard of Robert and Sally Alner and will now be trained by their former assistant Nick Mitchell.

A trust fund in aid of the popular Dorset trainer Robert Alner will be launched on Monday.

HENRY de Bromhead admits there are days he feels like pinching himself when realising he actually trains the favourite for the Champion Hurdle, Sizing Europe.

Andrew Thornton is looking to win his second major prize of the season on Miko De Beauchene in the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup at Haydock tomorrow.

Verasi was left unchanged at 33-1 with totesport for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase following his victory in the Chris Poole And George Ennor Celebration Novices’ Chase at Plumpton.

The Listener and Daryl Jacob exorcised the ghosts of last year’s near-miss with a splendid front-running display in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

Nick Mitchell is preparing himself for another few days with just The Listener for company as the pair travel over for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday week.

Daryl Jacob believes The Listener performed with great credit in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown last week.

Following a rollercoaster ride of a week in which Gold Cup-bound pair Kauto Star and Denman both did the business, the weekend action took something of a back seat.

VOY Por Ustedes will enjoy a well-deserved break after regaining the winning thread at Kempton over the Christmas period.

Miko De Beauchene’s connections will scour the fixture book to find a race for him at the end of January or the beginning of February.

Paul Nicholls is 1-4 with Coral to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup with reigning champion Kauto Star or the upcoming Denman after the latter stamped his class on the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.

PAUL NICHOLLS is confident Denman can pick up the gauntlet from Kauto Star in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown today.

MIKO DE BEAUCHENE gave his trainer Robert Alner the best possible compensation for a Christmas spent in hospital as he grabbed the Coral Welsh National in the final strides.

Miko De Beauchene got up in the final strides to nail top-weight Halcon Genelardais and claim the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow.

Denman will take on five rivals in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on Friday.

Halcon Genelardais will have to overcome 19 rivals as well as top weight of 11st 12lb when he bids to land back-to-back victories in the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow tomorrow.

Paul Nicholls is far from concerned by the prospect of decent ground ahead of Denman’s assault on the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 28.

Sunday’s impressive Punchestown winner The Listener has returned to his stable in Dorset, England, in much the same shape as when he left.

The mighty Denman might not have everything his own way in the Lexus Chase later in the month as 2006 winner The Listener showed his well-being ahead of a repeat bid with an emphatic success at Punchestown.

Hedgehunter begins his journey for a fifth attempt at the John Smith’s Grand National by making his seasonal debut at Punchestown on Saturday.

A move to Paul Nicholls from Robert Alner’s and a breathing operation have seemingly transformed Trust Fund, who bossed his rivals from the front in the Weatherbys Bank Silver Buck Handicap Chase at Wincanton.

Voy Por Ustedes is a confident choice to cement his position at the head of the Queen Mother Champion Chase market by landing the paddypower.com Tingle Creek at Sandown.

Tony McCoy was seen at his brilliant best when driving home Soliya to win the Dermot Ffrench Memorial Juvenile Novices' Hurdle at Newbury.

DAVY Russell has been booked for the plum ride on Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup second-favourite Abragante at Newbury on Saturday.

Sam Thomas warmed up for the biggest ride of his career on Kauto Star at the weekend with a confidence-boosting success on board the Paul Nicholls-trained Geeveem at Wincanton.

Things are looking brighter for Robert Alner as the Dorset handler makes steady progress in hospital while his string hit the heights on the racecourse.

Sir Rembrandt could reappear in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup following his victory at Cheltenham at the weekend.

Robert Alner continues to improve slowly following his horrific car crash last week.

Willhewiz has dropped down the handicap in recent times but can exploit his lower mark in the Book Now For Boxing Day Handicap at Kempton tomorrow evening.

Robert Alner is reported to be "comfortable" after undergoing surgery on the injuries he sustained in a car crash.

Robert Alner is due to undergo surgery later tonight after being injured in a serious car crash near his base in Dorset, England.

The Listener will try to gain compensation back across the Irish Sea next month following his early exit at Down Royal.

Last season’s Hennessy Gold Cup winner State Of Play and Ferdy Murphy’s rising star Aces Four will face six rivals in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby.

The Listener will face five rivals in tomorrow’s James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase at Down Royal – providing the ground is no quicker than good.

Taranis and The Listener could run in Saturday’s James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase at Down Royal.

Kingscliff is on course to make his third successive seasonal reappearance in the £90,000 bet365 Charlie Hall Chase on November 3.

Robert Alner has outlined some early-season objectives for his smart chaser The Listener.

Neptune Collonges, the youngest horse in the race, capped an extraordinary campaign for Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh when outstaying his rivals to take the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown yesterday.

Michael O'Brien's In Compliance features among a 13-strong field for Wednesday's Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup.