Al Boum Photo will face a maximum of 11 rivals when he bids for back-to-back victories in the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday.
Having warmed up for his return to the Cotswolds by winning the same New Year’s Day race at Tramore as he did last year, the eight-year-old is well fancied to become the first horse to successfully defend the Gold Cup crown since Best Mate, who completed a hat-trick between 2002 and 2004.
The Cheltenham Festival’s winning-most trainer Willie Mullins has a notable string to his bow in Kemboy, who made it no further than the first fence in last year’s renewal, but was impressive at Aintree and defeated Al Boum Photo in a Punchestown Gold Cup that will forever be remembered as Ruby Walsh’s swansong.
However, he has had to make do with minor honours on each of his two starts this season behind Delta Work, who will bid to provide his trainer Gordon Elliott with a second Gold Cup, following the triumph of Don Cossack four years ago.
Pat Kelly’s Presenting Percy was favourite for the blue riband last season, but needs to raise his game. The Irish challenge is completed by the Mullins-trained Real Steel and Henry de Bromhead’s pair of Monalee and Chris’s Dream.
The home team is headed by Nicky Henderson’s Santini, who has long been considered a Gold Cup contender, and has joined Al Boum Photo at the head of the market since defeating Bristol De Mai in January’s Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham.
Paul Nicholls has high hopes for Clan Des Obeaux as he bids to equal Jim Dreaper’s record of five Gold Cup wins, while Lostintranslation is a major player for Colin Tizzard, despite pulling up behind Clan Des Obeaux at Kempton on Boxing Day. Tizzard could also saddle Elegant Escape. The stellar field is completed by the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Bristol De Mai. PA
Southwell 1.50 Glorious Boru 2.20 Lydiate Lady 2.50 Eclair De Guye 3.25 Three C’s (nb) 3.55 Ostuni 4.30 Split Down South 5.00 Carlow Farmer 5.30 Lucky Lover Boy
Warwick 2.00 The Cob 2.30 Litterale Ci 3.05 Steal A March 3.35 Belle Empress 4.10 Twycross Warrior 4.40 Supreme Escape (nap) 5.10 Your Darling
