Gold Cup preferred option for Lieutenant

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

First Lieutenant, owned by the Gigginstown House Stud, is second-favourite at around 9-2 for the Ryanair, while he is a general 12-1 chance for the blue riband prize.

However, Morris feels the eight-year-old would be better suited by the longer distance of the Gold Cup.