Morris not worried by Lieutenant’s Cork defeat
The six-year-old was a dual Grade One winner during his novice hurdling campaign and made a fine start to his career over fences when scoring at Tipperary.
But he failed to follow up at the weekend, going down by a nose to De Valira in a thrilling finish.
Morris feels things conspired against the chestnut in the two-and-a-half mile contest and believes the experience will not be lost on him.
“There’s not a bother on him this morning and it’s obviously disappointing to get beaten, but I’m not at all disappointed in the horse,” said Morris.
“Things just weren’t right for him from start to finish. There was no pace on early and then the horse in front fell.
“That left us in the lead and he’s idle in front – he just started walking.
“But it’s all experience for him and the winner has some decent form and is three years older than our horse.
“Two and a half miles round Cork is a bit quick for him as well and he’ll be a better horse on a more galloping track.
“We’ll just try to find him something similar before stepping him up for something better.”
Meanwhile, connections of Weapon’s Amnesty remain hopeful the dual Grade One winner will return to competitive action after being forced to rule him out for the season for the second year running.
The Charles Byrnes-trained eight-year-old was a brilliant winner of the 2010 RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, his second victory at Prestbury Park having won Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle 12 months earlier.
He was expected to make up into a realistic Cheltenham Gold Cup contender this season but Eddie O’Leary, brother of Gigginstown House Stud owner Michael and racing manager, has confirmed the gelding is sidelined again.
“Unfortunately he’s out for the season but he’s still a young horse and hopefully he’ll be back for next year. We’ll certainly try our best to get him back,” said O’Leary.
