16 January 2022

Dysart Dynamo blows Punchestown rivals away

16 January 2022

Dysart Dynamo galloped his rivals into submission – and fired a warning shot to Constitution Hill and Jonbon in the process – as he maintained his unbeaten record in the Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown

Willie Mullins’ charge won both his bumper outings last term and got off to a good start over obstacles when triumphing by 19 lengths at Cork in December.

He was sent off the 4-9 favourite for this Grade Two contest and Paul Townend was quick to assume the lead, with Dysart Dynamo quickly building up a healthy advantage over the chasing Gringo D’aubrelle and Guily Billy.

The field was well strung out by halfway and Dysart Dynamo just kept up his relentless gallop, with a slightly awkward landing at the penultimate obstacle barely checking his momentum as Townend allowed him to cruise home by 19 lengths from Gringo D’aubrelle.

Mullins has won the two-mile affair with some giants of the jumping game in the past, with Vautour, Douvan and Min landing the prize between 2014 and 2016, and the bookmakers feel Dysart Dynamo holds similar potential, chopping him in the markets for both the Supreme and Ballymore Novices’ Hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival.

Paddy Power offer 7-2 from 12s for the Supreme – behind only the Nicky Henderson-trained Constitution Hill and Jonbon – while he is the 4-1 favourite for the longer Ballymore in March. Coral go 4-1 about both races.

Townend said: “We went a proper gallop and he jumped brilliant. He’s exciting and it was a very good performance.

“He’s a good one and nicer people couldn’t have a good one like him. They love their horses and have a proper one now.”

Dysart Dynamo came home in splendid isolation (Donall Farmer/PA) (PA Wire)

Mullins’ assistant David Casey expects Dysart Dynamo to head to Cheltenham, although definite plans have yet to be decided.

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.”

Whiskey Lullaby made it a double for Mullins and Townend (Donall Farmer/PA) (PA Wire)

Mullins and Townend made it a double with Whiskey Lullaby in the Sporting Life Beginners Chase, with the 13-8 favourite hanging on by three-quarters of a length from Difficult Decision.

The Closutton team had to settle for second in the first division of the 15% Off Festival Tickets Maiden Hurdle as Goven could not hold the renewed challenge of Hiaou, the 11-8 market leader.

His trainer Gordon Elliott has a Cheltenham Festival run in mind for the Jack Kennedy-ridden winner.

Hiaou (far side) just edged victory (Donall Farmer/PA) (PA Wire)

He said: “He did everything wrong and Jack said he needed a better gallop. The one thing I like about him is he’s gutsy and he couldn’t pull him up after the line.

“He’s still a big, weak horse and I’d say we could step him out in trip. He’ll have a few more runs this year and he could be on the Cheltenham team.”

The second division went to Supreme Jet (5-2 favourite) while Must Be Obeyed (12-1) stayed on strongly to land the Punchestown Gift Vouchers Mares Handicap Hurdle for Tom Gibney and Darragh O’Keeffe.

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