Lieutenant not a definite for the Hennessy

First Lieutenant in action at Gowran
(Healy Racing Photos)

Last season's RSA Chase runner-up was not disgraced on his return to action at Gowran and then pushed Kauto Stone all of the way in the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal.

Morris had suggested his seven-year-old was unlikely to take his chance in the Hennessy, but the Co Tipperary trainer is now warming to the idea.

With Tidal Bay heading the weights of the 22 confirmations, First Lieutenant is set to carry 11st 5lb if he does run.

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."

His RSA Chase conqueror Bobs Worth heads ante-post lists for Saturday's feature at Newbury, with trainer Nicky Henderson set to assess conditions at Newbury on Tuesday.

First Lieutenant is one of three possible runners for Ireland, with the Dessie Hughes-trained Magnanimity and Irish National hero Lion Na Bearnai still in contention.

Hughes said: "Hopefully he'll run, unless the ground is too deep.

"I hear they are expecting a dry week after today, so by Saturday it might have dried out a bit."