The Listener primed to roast Beef
He is currently on offer around the 10-1 mark for the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Robert Alner’s gelding can emphasise he is very much a live candidate for National Hunt racing’s greatest prize.
The progressive eight-year-old showed his liking for this track with a brilliant display in the Lexus Chase at Christmas. His jumping, not the horse’s strongest point previously, was superb as he led or disputed from the start.
Daryl Jacob then asked him to go about his business from the second last and The Listener quickly surged eight lengths clear of Beef Or Salmon.
Michael Hourigan’s great servant is now seeking a tenth Grade 1 success, but does appear to face an uphill task against his three years younger rival.
Forget The Past, on a hat-trick and third to War Of Attrition in last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, is the other to consider, but if The Listener strips in the same mood as last time then whatever beats him will surely earn it, big time!
Only four are set to face the starter in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle, but this promises a cracker, bringing together three live Cheltenham possibilities in Aran Concerto, Arrive Sir Clive and Catch Me.
The nod falls on Aran Concerto, who has done everything asked of him thus far, looking a real star in the making when dismissing the smart Footy Facts at Navan in December.
On a day when there are going to be several short-priced favourites, Knight Legend gets the nap to land the competitive Dr P J Moriarty Novice Chase.
Poor technique has seen him largely fail to fulfil his potential over fences, but he seemed to be finally getting the hang of what’s required when easily winning a moderate race at Punchestown last time.
Blinkers and front-running tactics are clearly the key to Island Life and he is hard to oppose in the Cashmans’ Juvenile Hurdle, following easy wins at Clonmel and on this track.
Mad Fish, reputed to be the best bumper horse in Willie Mullins’, will obviously take all the beating in the last, but he cut out quickly when beaten by Aranleigh at Fairyhouse and is passed over.
Preference is for Edward O’Grady’s Tranquil Sea, who stuck to his task when beaten a neck by the useful Heron’s Flight, also at Fairyhouse.
At Naas tomorrow, Joe Crowley’s Hairy Molly is the nap choice in the 25-runner Barrettstown Maiden Hurdle.
He made a belated, but excellent, seasonal debut when third to Scotsirish and Cobham at Leopardstown two weeks ago and can be expected to improve plenty for that much-needed outing.
Don’t Be Bitin, who found two and a half miles too far when fourth to Snowy Morning at Gowran Park, can provide the answer to the BBA Ireland Limited Opera Hat Novice Chase.
Oola Lad, he caught the eye when seventh to Charlie Yardbird over flights at Leopardstown, could surprise expected hot-pot, Mick The Man, in the Bumper.
