Ground the key to Lieutenant

Connections are hoping better ground will make all the difference to First Lieutenant in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham.

The Gigginstown gelding is a previous Festival winner having beaten a top-class field including Rock On Ruby, So Young and Oscars Well in last season's Neptune Novices' Hurdle.

Although he has won twice over fences, his chasing career has not taken off as anticipated, but his second to Last Instalment at Leopardstown over Christmas was a big improvement.

Trainer Mouse Morris is confident of a big run returning to a sounder surface.

He said: "He's travelled over well and he's A1 at the moment.

"We discovered he had a back problem early in the season, so we sorted that out and he ran much better and jumped much better at Christmas.

"Since then we've had no hiccups and he will absolutely love the ground, he's a different horse on it.

"He was out on the course this morning and he was like a dressage horse, although I hope he can run a bit faster than one!

"He's just a happier horse on better ground, so we'll keep our fingers crossed.

"We're happy to take on Grands Crus - he has to jump them as well as we do. Our horse has a real shout."

Jockey Davy Russell is also of the opinion that the better ground should turn the gelding's fortunes around.

"His form wouldn't be rock solid but there are genuine reasons for it and Cheltenham, drying ground and Mouse Morris have to be factored into it. Mouse is very confident," Russell told Racing UK.

"As a young horse his jumping was always very good, but his chasing career so far has been just adequate.

"In Fairyhouse he pulled up and had loads of issues, but I felt the last day he ran in Leopardstown his jumping was very good.

"Drying ground should also help his jumping."