French Dynamite and Mark Walsh pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
With race fitness on his side, French Dynamite bounced back to his best when landing a gamble in the BetVictor Chase.
Without a win in almost two years, the Mouse Morris-trained nine-year-old was second of three when last seen at Gowran earlier this month.
Available at 16/1 in early shows for this Grade 3 contest, the Robcour-owned bay came in for sustained market support, eventually going off at 7/2 under Mark Walsh.
In front from the third, the now seven-time winner had all his rivals off the bridle approaching the straight and while pressed from two out, he found plenty when ridden away from the last and came home two and a quarter lengths to the good.
The admirable Minella Indo (4/1) tried hard but ultimately had to settle for second under Darragh O'Keeffe, while Hewick (7/2) was another four and a half lengths away in third.
The easy to back Conflated (10/3f from 13/8 early) sprawled badly on landing after jumping the first and unseated Jack Kennedy.
"The horses seem to be back in form, and I was hoping the fact that he was fit would help," Morris reflected.
"I asked Mark to be very handy and Conflated going at the first was a help, but that's racing.
"The fact that he gets the three miles opens up a lot of other options. We'll see how he comes out of this and what the lads want to do.
"He won't go on bottomless ground but I think he'll go on soft."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Minella Crooner trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be clinically abnormal post race.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
