Morris keeps options open for Lieutenant
After being beaten just a head into second in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown in December, the Co Tipperary trainer was looking forward to a crack at National Hunt racing’s blue riband.
But with owners Gigginstown House Stud already responsible for a leading Gold Cup hope in Sir Des Champs, the shorter Ryanair Chase has come into consideration for First Lieutenant.
Another obvious draw is the fact Gigginstown owner Michael O’Leary is the boss of Ryanair.
Morris said: “It’s still 50-50 which race he’ll run in.
“He’ll be left in the Ryanair and the Gold Cup at the confirmation stage and we’ll look at the fields in both races before we make a decision.
“He’s in great shape.”
First Lieutenant is a best-priced 9-2 for Thursday’s Ryanair and around 12-1 for the Gold Cup the following day.
Morris remains quietly confident about the chances of Rule The World in the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle.
Although his Willie Mullins-trained compatriot Pont Alexandre is all the rage for the two-mile-five-furlong contest, three-time winner Rule The World has rather crept under the radar, despite his most impressive win at Naas in early January.
The six-year-old also holds entries in the two-mile Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the Albert Bartlett over three miles, but Morris has confirmed Rule The World will run over the intermediate distance on Wednesday.
“He’s done nothing wrong and he’ll definitely run in the Neptune,” said the trainer.
“He’s going over there in good fettle and we’re looking forward to it. I’m not worried about the ground – I don’t think it makes any difference to him.”
Rule The World is a standout 10-1 with William Hill for the Neptune.
Rule The World and Pont Alexandre are among 24 confirmations for the Neptune, with Mullins also responsible for Champagne Fever, Mozoltov and Un Atout - although that trio could all run elsewhere.
The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained The New One and Jonjo O’Neill’s Challow scorer Taquin Du Seuil look the pick of the home team, with Puffin Billy and Chatterbox also interesting at double-figure odds.
