What does the future hold for Dynaste: Ryanair or Gold Cup?

David Pipe’s Dynaste restored his reputation with a thrilling victory in the Ryanair Chase. The grey had been a popular long-range fancy for the Cheltenham Gold Cup but was re-routed to the shorter race after a disappointing run in the King George VI at Kempton.

Dynaste was beaten at the Festival last year by Benefficient but made amends with an impressive victory at Aintree in April. His six-length victory convinced many that he has what it takes to win a Gold Cup.

His reappearance at Haydock appeared to underline those claims as he beat all bar Cue Card in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase over three miles and a furlong. He had Silviniaco Conti and Bobs Worth behind him that day and Kempton on Boxing Day was immediately nominated for his next outing.

His backers knew their fate a long way from home as he trailed home a distant fifth. He was clearly not right when he returned from Kempton and has been given special attention from veterinary physio Mary Bromiley.

Pipe decided to swerve the Gold Cup this year but his impressive victory must surely open up the possibility at a tilt at the big race next season. He looked a little outpaced midway through the Ryanair but the further they went, the better he went.

By the time the leaders turned for home it was clear that Dynaste was finishing best of all and he readily beat Hidden Cyclone by two and a quarter lengths. Pipe has his horses in flying form at the moment and was confident that Dynaste was back to his best.

If there is a doubt about the Gold Cup, it may be that the hill could find him out in heavy ground. Clearly his Kempton run was due to an injury and it would be no surprise to see him line up again on Boxing Day.

He has already proved that he stays in excess of three miles and stamina is not really an issue on good ground. Dynaste is currently 16-1 for the 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup and that could look a very big price in 12 months’ time.