First Lieutenant can have his next outing in the Hennessy Gold Cup
With twenty-two confirmations for the field of the Hennessy Gold Cup, trainer, Mouse Morris is still to decide his representation in the feature of the Saturday card. His initial response to racing First Lieutenant was negative, but the trainer’s heart has recently warmed up to making the most out of the opportunity.
With the Paul Nicholls’ trained, Tidal Bay, heading the field with the weight, Morris’ gelding will come in with 11st 5 lb in case he eventually takes part. The trainer will take until the middle of the week before certifying his decision.
Morris said: "We'll keep our options open until Wednesday. The top weight staying in might encourage us to go and the choice is whether to run on soft ground in England or bottomless ground in Ireland. We'll wait a couple of days and see what the lovely weather is going to do! By Wednesday night we'll know whether we're travelling or not."
Last that the seven-year-old chestnut gelding took part in was the Grade 1 jnwine.com Champion Chase on 3rd November, 2012 at Down Royal over three miles. The mount of jockey, Daryl Jacob, made sure that he gave competition to the eventual winner, Kauto Stone, to whom the runner-up denied the margin anywhere above a length.
The Saturday competition is once again highlighted with Paul Nicholls’ trained, Tidal Bay, and will prove out to be a true test for the stable as the performance will reflect if the gelding has improved his form after the last encounter will the Paul Nicholls team.
Another dominant trainer ready for taking up the Saturday challenge is, Nicky Henderson.
He tried intimidating the Paul Nicholls trained, Silviniaco Conti, in the Betfair Chase at Haydock, by entering Long Run in the contest.
The Seven Barrows handler said: "We're going to have a look at Newbury tomorrow, I'm sure they're doing everything they can. I'd like to get a run into him this weekend. Things have been geared towards that, but plans are changing left, right and centre at the moment."
The enthusiasm of the trainer who lost the Haydock battle has not simmered down as this time around he is all set and prepared with his winner at Ascot, Roberto Goldback.
Once again it is the lookout time for the Paul Nicholls team.
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