'Jumps fans love a front-running grey' - popular chaser The Listener dies at 22

Trainer Nick Mitchell on Monday paid tribute to his "good friend" The Listener after the popular grey chaser died aged 22 last weekend.

The Listener earned more than £400,000 in prize-money and provided Mitchell with his first top-level success when winning the Champion Chase at Down Royal in 2009 under Andrew McNamara.

He also gave Daryl Jacob his first Grade 1 victory when landing the 2006 Lexus Chase at Leopardstown when trained by Robert Alner.

The Listener: gave Daryl Jacob his first Grade 1 success when landing the 2006 Lexus ChaseCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

"The Listener gave us so many wonderful days and I'd forgotten how popular he was," said Mitchell. "He took me to places I never thought I'd go – he really helped put me on the map when I was starting out.

"He was such a lovely horse. The reason he went to Ireland and did so well over there was because he was so laid-back. He never bit or kicked and nobody ever fell off him, apart from at the racecourse.

"He was just a good friend and my son's middle name is George, which was his stable name. Jumps fans love a front-running grey and Adam [McNamara] said he was one of the best jumpers he'd ridden."

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The Listener won nine times from 30 starts, including six Graded races. His final outing came in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown, where he finished down the field in February 2011.

"He had a wonderful retirement with Hugo James, who hunted him for a few years and then just let him spend his time in the pasture he deserved. I went and saw him a few times and he always looked great," added Mitchell.

Remembering other great greys:

Rooster Booster: a moment of glory wanted by all but expected by none

From triumph to tragedy in 16 days: the story of sensational grey One Man

Kribensis: the rapid little rabbit who became a towering force over hurdles

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