Morris keen on Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup for First Lieutenant

Trainer Mouse Morris would prefer to run First Lieutenant in the Betfred Gold Cup rather than the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham next month.

"He runs above himself at Cheltenham and he's done nothing wrong this year. He's just not got his head in front. "He ran well at Down Royal, he ran well in the handicap at Newbury (Hennessy) and ran a blinder at Leopardstown. Morris is leaning towards the Ryanair for the Michael O'Flynn-owned China Rock, who found the Gold Cup distance too far last March when eighth to Synchronised before going on to win the Punchestown Gold Cup. "He ran a good race in the Gold Cup last year but just didn't get home," said the trainer. "He had a wind problem which a tongue strap appears to have fixed. He hacked up in the Punchestown Gold Cup and he ran a good race up to the last in the Lexus (fifth). "He has enough toe for the Ryanair." Morris is looking forward to running Rule The World in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle. The six-year-old, another owned by Gigginstown, is around 10/1 for the two-mile-five contest after winning three of his four starts over hurdles. "The Neptune looks the obvious one for him," he said.