The Listener with jockey Daryl Jacob after winning at Leopardstown

The 2-1 favourite, ridden by Daryl Jacob and trained by Robert Alner, had lost out to Beef or Salmon in the final run-in 12 months ago.

But this time the popular grey led from start to finish to win by five lengths with Turko in second.

He is the first British winner of the race since Jodami in 1995.

Grand National favourite Snowy Morning finished third and remains the general favourite for April's marathon at Aintree.

The Listener's win is the latest for the Alner yard with the Dorset handler still in hospital in Bristol after being seriously injured in a car accident three months ago.

In his absence his wife Sally and assistant trainer Nick Mitchell have continued to run the show.

Mitchell said afterwards: "Robert is getting better and is now being taken outside for fresh air by the hospital staff.

"He has a TV and a computer next to his bed so he will have been fully aware of what has happened.

"Sally was the first person on the phone after the race and this one is for the Alners.

"It looked like one or two were going to swallow him up three out but he had a little up his sleeve and had more in the tank after the last.

Jacob added: "The horse has loads of power and is a lovely horse to ride. He could have gone round the course again.

"The ground was better than it was last year, not as heavy."

The horse is now around 25-1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup and around 5-1 for the shorter Ryanair Chase at next month's Festival.

Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup (Leopardstown)
1. The Listener (D A Jacob) 2-1 Fav
2. Turko (S Thomas) 13-2
3. Snowy Morning (R Walsh) 11-4
8 ran. Dist: 5�, �