China Rock© Photo Healy Racing
The Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival is a potential long-term target for China Rock following his pleasing return to action in the Lexus Chase.
Having seemingly failed to get home over three miles on a number of occasions, the 10-year-old was fitted with a tongue-tie for last season's Punchestown Gold Cup and it worked the oracle as he ran out a comfortable winner.
Mouse Morris' charge missed the first part of the new campaign after suffering a setback and returned in the Lexus, but after travelling powerfully into the home straight, he weakened to finish fifth.
Morris remains unsure whether his charge truly stays three miles and is keen to find out definitively by running in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown on February 19.
He could then come back in distance for the two-mile-five-furlong Ryanair.
"He ran a good race the other day, but he didn't get home. We'll run him in the Hennessy next and see where we go after that," said Morris.
"He might be a horse for the Ryanair or Punchestown again later on.
"He's had a run now, so we'll see how he gets on next time."
