First Lieutenant ready for new campaign Trainer Mouse Morris has identified the Star Best For Racing Coverage Chase at Punchestown later this month as a potential starting point for First Lieutenant. Last season's Betfred Bowl winner signed off for the campaign with an excellent third behind fellow Gigginstown-owned runner Sir Des Champs in the Punchestown Gold Cup and could make his return to action at the same venue on October 17. "He's fine and has had a really good summer at Gigginstown. He's come back a very strong horse and he's in good shape," said Morris. "He'll probably get an entry in the race coming up at Punchestown and there's Down Royal again, so we'll see." Morris also revealed connections have called time on the career of China Rock. The 2012 Punchestown Gold Cup hero made just one appearance last season, finishing fifth in the Lexus. Meanwhile, exciting hurdler Rule The World is back in training after he suffered a fractured pelvis at the Punchestown Festival in the spring. The point-to-point graduate won three of his six starts last season and ran a fantastic race to fill the runner-up spot behind The New One in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. He broke down badly on his final appearance of the season at Punchestown, but Morris says he has made a full recovery. He said: "He's great, touch wood. "He's back in full work. I'm not going to commit myself to a date (for his return) but at the moment it's looking good. "It looked bad at the time, but hopefully it's going the right way. I think he'll be staying over hurdles this season."
