Morris poised to saddle two in Lexus
Having been narrowly beaten by Kauto Stone in the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal, First Lieutenant set out to make most of the running in the Hennessy at Newbury and was far from disgraced in finishing behind old rival Bobs Worth and Tidal Bay.
China Rock has been sidelined since winning the Punchestown Gold Cup in April, but Morris is confident he will be ready to make his return over the Christmas period.
The trainer said: “I’m very happy with First Lieutenant. He’s still in the King George but I’d say the Lexus would be favourite at the moment.
“Hopefully, China Rock will make the race as well. He’s going nicely at the moment, so he should get there.
“It’s nice to have two horses good enough to run in a race like that.
“First and second will do me!”
Ted Walsh meanwhile has yet to make any firm plans regarding a likely reappearance target for last season’s Grand National third Seabass.
The nine-year-old was a heavily backed 8-1 joint-favourite for the world’s most famous steeplechase and he ran a fantastic race under Walsh’s daughter Katie to finish third, beaten just five lengths by Neptune Collonges.
Having had a history of leg problems, Walsh is refusing to look too far ahead with his charge, but is happy with his progress at home.
“He’s fine at the moment. He’s in one piece but he’s not doing a whole lot to put him under pressure,” said Walsh.
“There isn’t a lot for him at the moment as he’s in no man’s land with his mark of 154. He’s not good enough for a race like the Lexus Chase and he can’t get into handicaps like the Paddy Power Chase.
“We’re just ticking along with him and hopefully there’ll be something for him in late January or early February.”
Seabass is a best priced 20-1 to give Walsh a second victory in the Grand National at Aintree in April, having struck gold with Papillion back in 2000.
Gordon Elliott is looking at aiming the sidelined Jessies Dream at the top races in the second half of the season.
The County Meath trainer intends giving the 2010 Drinmore Novice Chase winner an entry in the John Smith’s Grand National and possibly in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup as well.
Jessies Dream has been on the easy list since finishing second in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham in March 2011, but Elliott reports all to be well with the nine-year-old, who is now back in work. “He will be entered obviously for the National and probably the Gold Cup and all those types of races,” said Elliott.
“He’s not getting any younger and he’s been off the track for a couple of years, so we take it day by, but at the moment he’s back cantering and all is A OK.”
Countrywide Flame could be given the stern test of taking on Hurricane Fly in the Istabraq Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown on December 29.
Trainer John Quinn knows it would be difficult taking on Willie Mullins’ 2011 Champion Hurdle hero on his home turf, but admits the pair have to clash at some stage.
He could run Countrywide Flame in the William Hill Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day instead but feels the course at Leopardstown would suit his horse better than Kempton.
Countrywide Flame, winner of the JCB Triumph Hurdle last term, showed he could be a serious contender for Champion honours at Cheltenham in March when winning the Fighting Fifth Hurdle in impressive fashion on his seasonal debut at Newcastle.
“He’s in good fettle. He’ll be entered in the Christmas Hurdle and he’s in the Istabraq Hurdle. He’ll run in one or the other,” said Quinn.
“He likes galloping tracks so I suppose Leopardstown would be more his cup of tea than Kempton.”
