Max Dynamite out to add to Mullins staying riches in Paris marathon

Qatar Prix du Cadran (Group 1) 4yo+ | 2m4f (ATR/RUK)

A race that has sometimes suffered through competing with the Melbourne Cup for the same pool of stayers features a horse who has twice been placed at Flemington and who now goes for glory somewhat closer to home.

Max Dynamite began his career in France and has proved a real money-spinner since joining Willie Mullins, with those two runs in Australia meaning he has earned more than nine times as much in place money as in career winnings.

It was another case of so near yet so far at Doncaster last time, when Max Dynamite went down by half a length to stablemate Thomas Hobson.

Mullins said: "He's been in good form since running so well in the Doncaster Cup. The trip will suit him well and so will good ground. The better it is, the more he'll like it."

Holdthasigreen has been something of a revelation in the second half of the season and comes here as the leading stayer in France in the absence of Vazirabad, who continues to recuperate from his efforts in the Gold Cup and will not run again this season.

Jockey Tony Piccone celebrates as Holdthasigreen lands the Prix KergorlayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"He has become a lot more manageable with age and time and is now enjoying racing a lot more than in his younger days," said jockey Tony Piccone, whose mount was supplemented on Wednesday.

"It's his first try but personally I think 4,000 metres [two and a half miles] might see even more improvement. The plan was to go for the Royal-Oak but we talked about it and I feel if you have to chose between the two, this is the race to go for, though that’s not to say he couldn’t run in both."

If ever a horse were bred to win a Cadran it is Morgan Le Faye, whose dam Molly Malone won the race in 2012. Trainer Andre Fabre said: "I was delighted with her first attempt in Group company at this distance. She's going to run a good race."

At the age of eight, Mille Et Mille attempts an extraordinary double having won this race in 2015 in what was the final Group prize awarded before the bulldozers moved in to redevelop Longchamp.

"He's been specially prepared for the Cadran, as he has been every year since he came to us," said trainer Carlos Lerner. "His principal strength is he loves the long trip and we deliberately missed the Prix Gladiateur to come here fresh. Any rain would be a help because he stays so well, but he has good form on good."

Call The Wind takes a big step up in class after two easy wins in conditions races and looks an improved horse for Freddy Head since trying staying trips.

Montaly is the sole British-trained runner and Andrew Balding saw signs of encouragement last time from the 2017 Lonsdale Cup winner.

"He's been a bit below what he was achieving last year but I thought his Ebor run was quite good," said Balding. "He stayed on well in a race that wasn’t run to suit. On the basis of last year’s form he'd have every chance. He’ll stay well and hopefully run very well."

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