Cheltenham Festival
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06 Dec 11
11:45
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05 Jan 10
MOUSE Morris is hopeful last season's Cheltenham Festival winner First Lieutenant can recover from his dismal showing in the Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse.
Davy Russell performed miracles to stay in the saddle following the gelding's blunder at the eighth fence but, after briefly getting back into contention, he was forced to pull up.
It was initially reported after the race that he had burst a blood vessel, but Morris was keen to stress the blood was caused by the impact of hitting the fence.
"He's grand, I think it was more the bang on the head," said Morris. "He bled from his nose. There was so much I think he would have been dead if it came up from his lungs.
"It was just one of those things. I don't know why he made a mistake as he was jumping grand up until then. Maybe it was the ground, he doesn't jump as well out of soft.
"Because he hasn't really burst, I wouldn't be too worried. We'll just have to see if he runs at Christmas. I'd be loath to run him on heavy ground again."
Morris had better news of China Rock, which is due to return to action at Christmas after picking up an injury when running a big race in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
"China Rock will hopefully come back in the Lexus, though I would
Davy Russell performed miracles to stay in the saddle following the gelding's blunder at the eighth fence but, after briefly getting back into contention, he was forced to pull up.
It was initially reported after the race that he had burst a blood vessel, but Morris was keen to stress the blood was caused by the impact of hitting the fence.
"He's grand, I think it was more the bang on the head," said Morris. "He bled from his nose. There was so much I think he would have been dead if it came up from his lungs.
"It was just one of those things. I don't know why he made a mistake as he was jumping grand up until then. Maybe it was the ground, he doesn't jump as well out of soft.
"Because he hasn't really burst, I wouldn't be too worried. We'll just have to see if he runs at Christmas. I'd be loath to run him on heavy ground again."
Morris had better news of China Rock, which is due to return to action at Christmas after picking up an injury when running a big race in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
"China Rock will hopefully come back in the Lexus, though I would
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