'Plenty of options' for French Dynamite after Mouse Morris star beats Minella Indo and Hewick to end two-year drought

French Dynamite made his fitness count in the Grade 3 BetVictor Chase at Punchestown, leading for most of the way to score his first victory in two years.

Under Mark Walsh, he beat a high-class field in authoritative fashion, coming home two and a quarter lengths clear of last year's winner Minella Indo. Hewick was a further four and a half lengths back in third, while the favourite Conflated unseated at the first fence.

The Mouse Morris-trained nine-year-old landed a plunge, having gone off at 7-2 after odds of 16-1 were available in the morning.

French Dynamite has always been a classy operator for owners Robcour, finishing a narrow runner-up to Ga Law in the 2022 Paddy Power Gold Cup and fourth behind Envoi Allen in the Ryanair Chase last year. 

However, he had dipped below that standard during the summer and put in a mixed jumping performance when second to Visionarian at Gowran Park over a shorter trip 11 days before coming here for this 2m7f contest. 

Bar getting in a touch tight six out, he was much more assured and measured this time.

Morris had endured a testing period when he went ten months without a winner until Camino Rock struck at Kilbeggan last month and he is hoping his string have turned the corner.

"The horses seem to be back in form," he said. "I was hoping the fact that he was fit would help. I asked Mark to be very handy and Conflated going at the first was a big help, but that's racing.

"He has been on the go a while, so he'll get a little break and we'll see what the lads want to do. The fact that he gets three miles opens up a lot of other options. It looks like he'll stay over this distance. I don't think better ground is as important to him now as he's getting older and a little bit slower. He certainly won't go on bottomless ground but I think he'll go on soft."

Mouse Morris and Mark Walsh with French DynamiteCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Walsh, who was riding French Dynamite for the first time, said: "He was the fittest horse in the race as most of the others were having their first run back.

"I gave him plenty of light early and he was happy out in front. He latched on early and I knew he was on a going day."

Jordans toughs it out

Jordans landed his first victory for Joseph O'Brien in the Grade 3 BetVictor Novice Chase when he showed a resolute attitude to repel Monbeg Park and justify 11-4 favouritism.

Having reached a useful level in France, the five-year-old acquitted himself well on his yard debut at Listowel last month when runner-up to stablemate San Salvador, who went on to score in Graded company. 

Jordans looked set for a comfortable win under Richie Deegan after going to the front at the second-last when long-time leader Air Drop unseated Sam Ewing. Monbeg Park found a second wind under Jordan Gainford, however, and Deegan's mount had to dig deep for a half-length victory. 

"I thought he'd go away and win at the second-last, but he just pricked his ears a bit in front," said Deegan. 

"I was in front a bit soon. He popped the last and it just gave the other horse a chance to come back to us, but I never felt like I was going to be headed. He jumped well and will improve again."

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