'Very exciting' Dysart Dynamo cut for Cheltenham novices after demolition job

Sunday: Punchestown

You hardly thought Willie Mullins was going to let Nicky Henderson have all the fun in the Supreme, did you? More fool you if you did.

Mullins has farmed the Cheltenham Festival opener in recent years, chasing a record-extending eighth win in it this year, and he looks to have another ideal candidate in Dysart Dynamo if this explosive 19-length victory is anything to go by.

Vautour (2014) and Douvan (2015) won this Grade 2 on the way to winning the Supreme, while 2016 winner Min chased home Altior at the festival, but Mikael D'Haguenet (2009) went on to win the Ballymore and that is the conundrum for Mullins, and punters, now. Which route will he go?

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Paddy Power cut him to 7-2 third favourite for the Supreme (from 12-1) but he is outright favourite with everyone bar them and Betfair Sportsbook for the Ballymore, and as low as 11-4 with BetVictor. There is Champion Bumper winner Sir Gerhard to factor in too.

For much of the winter it looked like the two best novice hurdlers in training were both based in Seven Barrows. Not anymore.

Constitution Hill and Jonbon might be good, but they will need to be brilliant to dispose of Dysart Dynamo – and Paul Townend's post-race comments suggest he is right out of the top drawer.

"He'd gallop out through a wall for you if you asked him. He was very good," said the jockey.

"We went a proper gallop and he jumped brilliantly. It was an impressive performance. I let him use his stride as he covers a lot of ground. His stride is so big and he does it all at ease. He's very exciting."

You can say that again, Paul.

On whether the Supreme or the Ballymore would be the best fit, Townend said: "He has loads of gears and he's not slow, but there's options there for him going forward. Willie will fit him in where he sees best. I thought it was a strong race beforehand, there were plenty in there with reputations, so it was very taking the way he did it."

All smiles for connections after Dysart Dynamo's Grade 2 winCredit: Patrick McCann

Mullins was not at Punchestown but his assistant David Casey said Dysart Dynamo replicated what he had been showing him at home.

He said: "He was very impressive and we see that at home with him. He has a huge engine and you would have to be delighted with him.

"I don’t know what the plan is but you would imagine he will go straight to Cheltenham now. Paul said he did everything right for him and he had plenty left at the end."

Gringo D'Aubrelle, who was third to Stage Star in the Challow at Newbury, was best of the rest but beaten 19 lengths, while there were a further 30 lengths back to The Little Yank in third.

This was a demolition job from Dysart Dynamo. Still unbeaten, still hugely exciting.

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