Al Boum Photo all set for Gold Cup hat-trick bid

PA Sport Reporters
March 18, 2021 4:19 pm

Mullins-trained star can join the likes of Best Mate as three-time winner of blue riband.

Willie Mullins is confident Al Boum Photo is in the form of his life ahead of his bid to join the titans of the jumping scene with a third victory in the WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Mullins appeared destined never to win the blue riband after saddling the runner-up on six occasions, but the largely unheralded Al Boum Photo broke his duck in 2019 and repeated the dose 12 months ago.

Just as he has in each of the past two seasons, the nine-year-old will line up in the Cotswolds on the back of a solitary low-key run at Tramore on New Year’s Day – and Mullins is hoping for the same result on the day that matters most

“We think he’s in a good position,” said the Closutton handler.

Al Boum Photo at Willie Mullins' yard — Al Boum Photo at Willie Mullins’ yard (Niall Carson/PA)

“Any time Paul (Townend) has ridden him work, he’s been happy with him and I’ve been happy with what I’m seeing as well.

“We don’t have any negatives at this point, we didn’t have any setbacks.”

Al Boum Photo is the clear favourite to become only the fifth triple Gold Cup winner after five-times scorer Golden Miller, Cottage Rake, Arkle and Best Mate.

He did not impress everyone during what was a slightly laboured latest effort at Tramore, but Mullins expects considerable improvement.

“I thought I had him straighter,” Mullins admitted.

“He had such a long break from his Gold Cup last year, had no spring campaign as such and it was a long time back around to Tramore.

“He probably should have done one more bit of work beforehand, but we got through it and we learnt from that and I think he’s in great shape going to Cheltenham this season.”

Mullins, who also saddles Irish Gold Cup winner Kemboy, views A Plus Tard and Champ as the biggest threats to his reigning champion.

🏆 A week until the Gold Cup! 🏆
Here’s a look back at Al Boum Photo clinching back-to-back victories in the famous race last year! 🙌
Will it be a third next week? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/WlkiAw8ndL
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 12, 2021

A Plus Tard denied Kemboy a second Savills Chase win with a last-gasp Leopardstown success over the Christmas period, while Champ warmed up for his Gold Cup tilt by finishing second over two miles in the Game Spirit at Newbury last month.

Mullins said: “I think you have to take both A Plus Tard and Champ seriously – both are stayers.

“A Plus Tard is bred to stay and Champ proved that he stayed all day last year.

“The two have both put in huge performances as their prep run.”