Lieutenant is First in Neptune

First Lieutenant got up virtually on the line to deny Rock On Ruby in a thrilling renewal of the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Oscars Well stumbled badly after landing just in front over the last and Robert Power did well to stay in the saddle - even though the error put paid to his chances.

Rock On Ruby (13/2) set off up the hill in front, but Davy Russell conjured a tremendous late run out of Mouse Morris' 7/1 chance to win by a short head.

So Young, the well-backed 2/1 favourite, was right in contention when making a mistake at the last before finishing another four and a half lengths away third.

Russell said: "He's a horse that's matured an awful lot through the year and he has again. I knew with a quarter of the straight to go I was getting there, but it was the last stride. My horse was a fraction slow at the last, but he's a very good horse."

Winning owner Michael O'Leary, boss of Ryanair, said: "Mouse has done a wonderful job with the horse and Davy gave him a fantastic ride. Oscars Well was probably a bit unlucky, but it's a great day for us.

"It's a great joy when the Irish horses come over here and this is another one on the board. Mouse always thought this horse was the next War Of Attrition. I don't think he's that good but he's going the right way anyway."