Max Dynamite (Fr) (Great Journey {Jpn}), a disappointing second favourite when a well beaten 10th in the G1 Ascot Gold Cup last Thursday, is likely to drop back down in trip for his next start. The Willie Mullins trained 6-year-old will target the G2 Lonsdale Cup at York over two miles in August, a race he won last year en route to finishing second to Prince Of Penzance (NZ) (Pentire {GB}) in the G1 Melbourne Cup last November.
Reflecting on his Ascot performance, owner Rich Ricci commented, “He travelled really well. We went down the inside of the winner. It was a gamble. He might have been a bit too far back and I thought we might have been a bit handier. That being said, Pat [Smullen] didn't think he stayed. I don't know if that is the case, but we will probably drop him back to two miles again. The Lonsdale Cup is the next stop I reckon.”
Thinking further ahead to a possible return to Flemington in November Ricci added, “It depends on what kind of weight he gets and how he is. You hate to think, as one can do sometimes, that last year was his day and that we are on a downward curve as his two runs since have been disappointing. If he performs well in the Lonsdale Cup, we will probably go back.”
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