Punters were convinced they had watched a Cheltenham Festival winner in waiting after Dysart Dynamo landed the Grade 2 Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown on Sunday.
The six-year-old took his unbeaten record to four as he romped home by 19 lengths at the Co Kildare venue under Paul Townend for Willie Mullins.
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.
Punters believe Dysart Dynamo will win at Prestbury Park in March, but are also unsure what race he will go for.
One person said: "Dysart Dynamo - A Cheltenham winner for Mullins - Impressive."
Another commented: "That was brilliant from Dysart Dynamo. Hope he runs in the Ballymore but if he goes to the Supreme then that will make it an even more unbelievable race."
Someone else tweeted: "Dysart Dynamo and Bob Olinger are Cheltenham bankers."
One other post read: "That is a SERIOUS performance from Dysart Dynamo at Punchestown. Supreme or Ballymore?"
Speaking after Sunday's race, 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.”
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.”
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