Max Dynamite has entered the Melbourne Cup picture by beating a host of top-class stayers with consummate ease in the Lonsdale Cup at York.

Although taking a more unconventional route to the Group Two contest having chased home Quick Jack in the Galway Hurdle, the five-year-old produced a vintage display to give trainer Willie Mullins another big-race winner.

The Michael Bell-trained Big Orange took the field along at a steady pace before attempting to kick from the front midway down the long home straight.

Having raced alongside stablemate Simenon for much of the two-mile (3200m) contest, Max Dynamite travelled effortlessly into contention in the hands of Frankie Dettori as long-time leader Big Orange weakened out of contention.

The 8-1 chance crossed the line 4-1/2 lengths clear of Mizzou, with Hidden Gold a further length back in third.

Melbourne Cup contenders Trip To Paris and Big Orange finished fifth and seventh respectively.

RaceBets slashed Max Dynamite to 20-1 from 66-1 for Melbourne Cup.

"Willie Mullins is a legend and wearing these colours means a lot," Dettori said.

"He gave me a dream ride. I knew he'd get me to the line and he won very well.

"He beat some very good horses very easily, you've got to think of the Gold Cup next year.

"I think the ground was key as he likes to get his toe in and sometimes it can be very quick ground in Australia."

Trainer Luca Cumani said the runner-up would not go to Melbourne, at least not this year.

"He ran a cracking race. He won't go for the Melbourne Cup, but maybe next year," he said.