Andy Gibson race review: More fallout from the big chase at Thurles

I thought that French Dynamite was keen in the early stages of the Grade Two Horse and Jockey Hotel off what was only a steady gallop.

He jumped well and took up the running four out, at which point he injected some extra pace into the race. After being driven from before the home turn until the final fence, he then tired badly from the last to the line thus accentuating the winner's margin of success.

That injection of pace plus his very tired finish are notions supported by his time comparisons with the 112-rated Stumptown, who won the following race on the card over a similar trip.

When comparing times from French Dynamite's first fence (Stumptown's second fence) the Mouse Morris-trained horse went around three seconds clear of Stumptown from four out to the last fence, before finishing upsides that 112 handicapper at the winning post.

The evidence suggests that after over-racing in the early stages, French Dynamite then went too fast for too long from four out before paying a huge price for those exertions in the closing stages.

I strongly suspect we will see more from him when he is held up just behind a quicker pace and on better ground than he faced here.

Whether it is in the Ryanair Chase or the Plate Handicap next, I suspect we are likely to see another step forward from him at the Cheltenham Festival.

He settled well and jumped beautifully off a fast pace round the course in November in a race that has worked out very well.

After being driven from before the home turn, Chacun Pour Soi emptied quickly once he had straightened up on the approach to the final fence.

The obvious conclusion to draw would be to suggest he simply did not stay this trip, but I think I would prefer to see him competing again over an intermediate trip before coming to such a conclusion.

After all, he has thrown the odd below-par performance in before now, and maybe this was just one more of those.

Furthermore, he did appear to stop very quickly which adds a little more doubt to any potential lack of stamina being the reason for his poor finishing effort.

That said, a proven stayer like French Dynamite also stopped very quickly, albeit a little later in the home straight, so for now, I will let the market dictate any future strategy.

If Chacun Pour Soi is trading very short next time out in a chase run over an intermediate trip, and has two strong and classy stayers in opposition, then the decision to oppose him may be an easy one to make.

I am sure Haut En Couleurs will have been trading as the strong favourite when leading and knuckling over immediately after the final fence.

I would also have had him as the favourite, but maybe not by as much as most, as this appeared to be a significant step forward on his previous best form and the handicapper has raised him six pounds to 155 for his troubles.

He enjoyed comfortably the most positive trip round, as the three in front of him turning out of the back straight were already being driven to maintain their positions.

He enjoyed the kindest of tows into the race in the home straight and will not always have a race open up in such a positive way for him.

It is interesting that Haut En Couleurs is currently entered for the Stayers Hurdle and not the Ryanair Chase.

You can read more racing insights and analysis from Andy Gibson by visiting his Eyecatchers Service , which is now available to trial on Tipstrr until the end of January. Click here to learn more