Melbourne Cup runner-up Max Dynamite will begin his preparation for another trip to Australia when he lines up in a Group Three race at Sandown.

The six-year-old, who runs in the Group Three Henry II Stakes (3200m) on Thursday (Friday AEST), has not raced since finishing a half-length second to Prince Of Penzance in the Cup in November.

Trainer Willie Mullins has the Gold Cup at the Royal Ascot meeting in his sights as part of the gelding's campaign.

"I had hoped to get him out before now actually, but we'll let him take in this," Mullins said.

"The two obvious targets we're looking at, all going well after this, are the Gold Cup and the Melbourne Cup.

"How hard it will be to get him to peak in June and then November again, I don't know, but that's what we're doing.

"He has to show us that he's in the same sort of form that he was last season and then he needs to maintain that.

"We're looking for a good run to show he's back to himself and it should put him right for Ascot."