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.

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.

Arthur Moore is keen for Mansony to have a crack at Nickname in the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown on December 27.

Ferdy Murphy is looking forward to pitching L’Antartique into Grade One company in the Lexus Chase on December 28.

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.

IN Compliance looks almost certain to miss the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup as trainer Michael O’Brien is unhappy with the horse’s condition.

Tomorrow’s meeting at Leopardstown is set to go ahead after the track passed an 8am inspection.

DARYL JACOB insists he feels under no extra pressure ahead of The Listener’s engagement in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at the weekend.

Robert Alner completed the preparations for totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup second-favourite Kingscliff when sending out four horses for a secret post-racing gallop under the gathering gloom at Exeter this evening.

CONNECTIONS of Iris’s Gift are hoping the grey can boost his totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup prospects at Warwick today.