Max Dynamite finishing second at Flemington© Photo Healy Racing
Owner Rich Ricci admits Max Dynamite is unlikely to make next month's Cheltenham Festival, with a crack at the Melbourne Cup in November the ultimate aim this year.
The seven-year-old was beaten just half a length in the Flemington Group One back in 2015, but two outings on the Flat last year yielded little joy and he has been off the track since finishing down the field in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot last June.
Max Dynamite is on offer at around the 20-1 mark for the County Hurdle at Cheltenham, but Ricci believes the Punchestown Festival at the end of April is a more likely option before he builds towards another Australian trip.
Ricci told his RTE blog: "I'm often asked about him and I'm happy to report that he's fine, back in training and riding out.
"It's not certain that he won't get to Cheltenham but it's probably a bit unlikely, and he should be ready for Punchestown on the way towards getting ready for a Flat campaign.
"The Melbourne Cup, in which he finished second two years ago, is the ultimate aim. Getting him back to Flemington Park this winter would be an extraordinary thrill."
