HENNESSY GOLD CUP:MOUSE MORRIS is confident China Rock is up to making his presence felt in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday.

The talented chestnut won his first two starts of the campaign before placing third behind Kauto Star in the Champion Chase at Down Royal in November.

He has not been seen in racecourse action since but Morris believes he is ready to do himself justice on ground that should be in his favour.

“He’ll take his chance all being well. The ground is yielding to soft at the moment and as long as it stays like that, he’ll definitely run,” said Morris.

“He likes better ground and even though he hasn’t run since November, he’s in great nick and he’s probably a better horse when he’s fresh.”

All going well this weekend, Morris is keen on a crack at the Cheltenham Gold Cup with his charge. The Fethard handler saddled War Of Attrition to win National Hunt racing’s blue riband in 2006 and while he admits China Rock is not up to that level, he believes he warrants a place in the Cheltenham field.

“I’m hoping he’ll be bang there on Sunday and then he’ll go to Cheltenham for the Gold Cup,” Morris added.

“He’s not War Of Attrition but it looks an open race this year and a few of the better ones are getting on a bit now, so our lad is entitled to take his chance.”

Morris will let Punchestown winner Tillahow test the water at Grade One level in Sunday’s Tote Pick Six Rollover Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown.

After running well in defeat on his first couple of starts over timber, the four-year-old opened his account with a determined effort in Grade Three company.

He faces a stiffer test this weekend on ground that will be much livelier, but Morris believes his youngster will be able to cope.

“He’ll definitely run and he was good and tough in Punchestown the last day,” said Morris.

“It was heavy ground that day, but he’s an improving sort and I’d say he’s the kind of horse that will go on any ground.

“He ran well in Dundalk twice and also won on the Flat in Leopardstown on yielding, so you’d think he’ll handle better ground over hurdles all right.”

Meanwhile, Cue Card, winner of the Weatherbys Champion Bumper last season, heads 86 entries for the Stan James Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March. Colin Tizzard’s exciting prospect is 5 to 2 favourite with the firm who are sponsoring the Festival curtain-raiser for the first time, although he also holds an entry in the Stan James Champion Hurdle.

“We’re going to make a decision with Cue Card when we get to the Festival,” said the Dorset trainer. “I’m happy with him and we’re just starting to warm him up again now. This week he’s just cantering away and then we’ll start him on some faster stuff.”

Nicky Henderson has 14 entries, including Tolworth Hurdle winner Minella Class, the unbeaten Spirit Son, Sprinter Sacre and Gibb River. Among Paul Nicholls’ eight entries are Sam Winner, Rock On Ruby, Indian Daudaie and Toubab.

Willie Mullins has 11 entries headed by Zaidpour, winner of the Royal Bond Hurdle at Fairyhouse last month before he was beaten by First Lieutenant later at Leopardstown. The Mullins team also includes Gagewell Flyer and Day Of A Lifetime.

A strong Irish challenge includes Dermot Weld’s Hidden Universe, Edward O’Grady’s Sailors Warn and The Real Article and Noel Meade’s Dilshaan’s Prize and Prima Vista.

Bobs Worth is among 11 possibles from the Nicky Henderson stable among a total entry of 96 for the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 16th.

The Seven Barrows trainer has a formidable string headed by the six-year-old, who maintained his 100 per cent record over jumps with victory on Festival Trials Day last weekend.

Willie Mullins landed back-to-back wins in 2008 and 2009 with Fiveforthree and Mikael D’Haguenet, and he is mob-handed with 14 contenders, spearheaded by Bishopsfurze, Gagewell Flyer, So Young, Day Of A Lifetime, Dare To Doubt, Cottrelsbooley and Zaidpour.