Morris out to end Irish drought in Paddy Power Gold Cup with leading fancy

Only one Irish-trained horse in the last 42 years has managed to win the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham, but trainer Mouse Morris hopes French Dynamite can buck that trend as ante-post co-favourite for next month's marquee handicap prize.

Irish challengers mopped up half of the 14 races at Cheltenham's opening meeting of the season this month, but Tranquil Sea – a ready winner of the 2009 Paddy Power for Edward O'Grady and Andrew McNamara – is the only visitor to have landed the valuable prize since Bright Highway won for Michael O'Brien in 1980.

French Dynamite, a half-brother to dual Grade 1 winner Mighty Potter, recently made a winning comeback in the He'llberemembered Hurdle at Thurles, and that performance has prompted the race sponsor to price him up as 7-1 co-favourite for the £160,000 contest on November 12.