Jacob relishing Listener bid

Daryl Jacob believes the distance of the Ryanair Chase will suit The Listener down to the ground.

Robert and Sally Alner’s grey has won three times in Grade One company, but all of those successes have come in Ireland on soft ground.

And after he finished unplaced behind Kauto Star in the Gold Cup last year, Jacob thinks the Ryanair offers him a better opportunity this season.

“I think the Ryanair is his number one engagement,” said Jacob.

“The going would have to be soft enough for him to take his chance, but that is certainly his preferred race at this stage.

“He has won over that trip before and I have always thought his best trip was two-and-a-half to two-six anyway.

“I think he’d run a very good race in the Ryanair.

“Nick Mitchell (assistant trainer) is very happy with him at present and he rides the horse every day and knows him better than anyone.

“I’d hope that the ground would be on the soft side of good and if it is I know he would put in a very good show,” he told At The Races.

The Listener is 7-1 with Blue Square and Ladbrokes for the Ryanair Chase.