Morris delighted with China Rock China Rock has been given a clean bill of health following his fine comeback run at Punchestown on Saturday. Mouse Morris' nine-year-old was in the process of running a huge race in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last season and was still in touch with Kauto Star, Denman, Imperial Commander and Long Run - the last five winners of the blue riband - when forced to pull up. Unfortunately he was found to have struck into himself but he made his comeback over hurdles yesterday, tackling a trip short of his best as well as unsuitably soft ground. He will be seen next in the Irish Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown on February 12th. Morris said: "He's sound as a pound. "He ran an absolute cracker, I couldn't be more pleased with him. At one point I thought he was getting a second wind and coming to win it. "To say the ground was horrible and the trip was too short, it was a great run and showed he's still got it. "He'll run in the Irish Hennessy next and then we'll see how good he is. "Considering the race he was running at Cheltenham last year before he got injured, you'd hope he wouldn't be far away if he goes back there. "We've got our fingers crossed he gets there and we'll just take it one race at a time with him."
