Morris eyes Lexus one-two

Mouse Morris is set to saddle both Hennessy Gold Cup third First Lieutenant and the returning China Rock in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 27.

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!”