Ground concern for First Lieutenant team

The prospect of testing conditions is a concern for trainer Mouse Morris as the admirable First Lieutenant looks to secure a deserved return to the winner’s enclosure in tomorrow’s Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

The Gigginstown House Stud-owned nine-year-old has been in the three on 14 of his 17 starts over fences and has filled the runner-up spot in the last two renewals of the Lexus Chase over the Hennessy course and distance.

He found only Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Bobs Worth too strong in the most recent running of Leopardstown’s festive showpiece, and while Morris has been pleased with his stable star since, he admits the wet weather in Dublin has tempered his enthusiasm.