Melbourne Cup runner-up Max Dynamite will take his place in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot with Pat Smullen to ride.

Trainer Willie Mullins said he was happy with Max Dynamite despite the horse's third on his return at Sandown last month.

"We've got Pat Smullen for Max Dynamite, who was a bit disappointing when third of four at Sandown," Mullins told the Racing Post.

"Whether that was down to tactics or the fact he hadn't run since Melbourne, I don't know but he'll have to do a lot better next week.

"We hope that will be the case and he does seem to be in good form."

Smullen, who won the Irish Derby a week ago on Harzand, steered Rite Of Passage to win the Gold Cup in 2010.

Ryan Moore, who was aboard when Max Dynamite made his return in May, rides the Aidan O'Brien-trained Gold Cup favourite Order Of St George on Thursday.

Max Dynamite is as short as 6-1 second favourite behind Order Of St George with 21 left in the Gold Cup after latest declarations.