THE Listener could miss today's totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup because of the drying ground.

After walking the course yesterday afternoon the grey's trainer Robert Alner said: "It is 60-40 against him running - rain has been forecast for the area and it would be very welcome.

"His whole season has been geared around the Gold Cup but he does need soft going. If it is genuine good ground or on the soft side he should be fine. I will walk the course on Friday morning before making a final decision."

The handler from Droop near Hazelbury Bryan was cursing his luck at the Festival yesterday when Miko de Beauchene unseated Michael Miller three fences from home when travelling well in the National Hunt Chase for amateur riders.

"The further he went, the better he was. He was cantering at the time but he hit the fence and I couldn't stay on," said Miller, victory in this four-miler going to 33-1 shot Butler's Cabin trained by Jonjo O'Neill.

Chief Yeoman - owned in partnership by retired Puddletown builder Cyril Stephens - did not have the best of fortune in the Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase either.

The seven-year-old - trained by Venetia Williams in Herefordshire - was brought to a standstill four fences out by a falling horse, which cost him virtually any chance of reaching the frame, and then parted company with Sam Thomas at the next obstacle.