Sunday's meeting at Leopardstown threw up plenty of Festival clues, headed by victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup for The Listener, who now disputes favouritsm for the Ryanair Chas.

Robert Alner's assistant trainer Nick Mitchell said: "He has an entry in the Ryanair and the Gold Cup, and we are going to have to seriously think about it. We fell short against Denman in the Lexus last time and I can't really see it being turned around, but we will seriously think about the Gold Cup. With Kauto Star and Denman being one and two in the betting they might scare a few away, but he does have enough pace for the Ryanair."