Chasing aces and festival outsiders: four things we learned from New Year's Day

James Stevens reflects on the racing on New Year's Day and looks ahead to how the day's action could impact the rest of 2020.

Al Boum confirms place at peak of Gold Cup picture

Clan Des Obeaux and Delta Work posted mighty efforts to win at Grade 1 level over Christmas, but reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Al Boum Photo established his place at the top of the market with a tidy win in the Savills New Year's Day Chase at Tramore.

It was an efficient performance from the Willie Mullins-trained chaser. His jumping was sharp and he always looked as if he had the race in full control. That type of success was exactly what was required with plenty of big-race targets looming.

Al Boum Photo clearly ticks every box for the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Wednesday's win stamped his place at the top of the pecking order. He will not give up his Cheltenham crown without a fight.

Champ could deliver Henderson deja vu

Cast your mind back to Kempton in 2016. A hot Henderson novice came to the Kauto Star with a mighty reputation, and, as the race unfolded, was proving how good he was. But glory would quickly turn to misery as the great Might Bite fell at the final fence, handing the Grade 1 honours to a horse racing in a different postcode.

Three months later Might Bite would gain compensation at the Cheltenham Festival, so perhaps that bodes well for New Year's Day faller Champ.

Champ: could do a Might Bite and bounce back in the RSA ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Henderson's ace was easing in front, just two fences away from victory in the Dipper Novices' Chase, before a bad blunder scuppered his festival preparation.

We have seen Henderson work his magic with Might Bite, so do not be surprised to see Champ bounce back in the most sensational Cheltenham Festival setting. Champ is 3-1 to land the RSA Chase, how fitting would that be?

Murphy back with a bang

December was a month to forget for Olly Murphy but January will be a month to remember, if the opening day is anything to go by.

Last month started with stable star Brewin'upastorm ruled out of his Grade 1 Henry VIII Chase target and Murphy's bad luck continued with just three winners from 34 runners.

Olly Murphy: cheered home Skandiburg, who won at Cheltenham on WednesdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

But 2020 started in brilliant fashion for the Warwickshire trainer. He sent out two New Year's Day winners before equalling and then surpassing the previous month's tally with a double at Ayr on Thursday.

Skandiburg ran out an eyecatching winner in the three-mile handicap hurdle at Cheltenham, and perhaps he could return to the track for the Pertemps in two months time.

Roland enters festival picture

King Roland produced a whopping RPR of 131 when striking on his rules debut at Uttoxeter last season and enjoyed another emphatic success at Exeter on New Year's Day.

King Roland: impressive winner at ExeterCredit: Harry Trump / Getty Images

He routed the field in the 2m2½f maiden hurdle, beating a good yardstick in Thunderstruck by 19 lengths – that rival had finished a four-and-a-half length runner-up to subsequent Grade 2 winner Enrilo in October.

Bookmakers were impressed too, with bet365 cutting King Roland to 20-1 (from 33) for the Ballymore and 25-1 (from 33) for the Supreme after his easy win.

King Roland's win also gives a big boost to Saturday's Unibet Tolworth Novices' Hurdle hope Son Of Camas, who defeated the Harry Fry-trained six-year-old when the pair clashed at Newbury.

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