Boum time! Mullins says Gold Cup hero has 'fantastic chance' of repeat victory

Willie Mullins believes Al Boum Photo has a "fantastic chance" of becoming the first horse since Best Mate to retain the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The Joe and Marie Donnelly-owned staying star is no bigger than 4-1 to repeat last year's impressive triumph and the champion trainer was delighted with the eight-year-old's Cheltenham Festival preparation, feeling a similarly quiet campaign to last season will see his top-notch chaser in a good light come March 13.

"It worked out fantastic last year, and when something works it makes sense to go back and do it again," said the Closutton handler of last year's schedule, which saw Al Boum Photo have one run before Cheltenham in the Savills New Year's Day Chase at Tramore.

"He's on target for where we were last year, and with age and experience, he should improve, but statistically I think Gold Cup winners find it very hard to go back and win, so that's against him.

Al Boum Photo produced a very slick performance on his reappearance at Tramore last monthCredit: Healy Racing

"But he's going there in a good frame of mind and with normal improvement for his age and so on, he should have a fantastic chance."

Second-season chasers Santini and Delta Work are snapping at the title holder's heels but Mullins does not believe this year's Gold Cup is any more competitive than in 2019.

"I thought last year's Gold Cup was very tough and I don't think this race looks tougher," he said.

"I don't know if he is a better horse this year than he was last year, because I haven't pressed that many buttons with him, he isn't a horse that advertises himself at home."

He added: "We will take him for a racecourse school somewhere, wherever we can get him in. We've Naas and Fairyhouse coming up this weekend, I'd imagine Gowran would oblige us, so we'll find somewhere. It will just be a quiet day away rather than a big piece of work.

Al Boum Photo chased home Kemboy in the Coral Punchestown Gold Cup last yearCredit: Getty Images

"I imagine Paul will ride him [in the Gold Cup]. The final bits of work will probably dictate that. He has won at the track and won the race, so if I was Paul I'd find it very hard to get off him."

Mullins will also be represented in the Magners-sponsored prize by the horse who toppled Al Boum Photo at Punchestown last spring, Kemboy.

The 175-rated performer, who bagged a hat-trick of Grade 1s last term, ran with credit on both his starts this season but he is available at double the price of the reigning champion.

Mullins believes the demands of the Gold Cup play to Al Boum Photo's strengths.

"I think course and distance winners get preference from me every day - horses for courses," he explained.

"Watching Al Boum Photo last year, he just went around at his own pace and was able to win the race even before Paul wanted him."

Willie Mullins' Asterion Forlonge is on course for a Supreme Novices' Hurdle clash with ShishkinCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

He added: "Kemboy has it all to do. He has the ability and the rating, and was unlucky last year to get knocked over, but sometimes horses have the habit of doing the same thing again and again."

Mullins confirmed on Wednesday that Dublin Racing Festival scorer Asterion Forlonge will line up in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle, with owner Joe Donnelly having no objections to taking on the Nicky Henderson-trained hot favourite Shiskhin, who he also owns.

"Mr Donnelly came to me very early in play and said 'Willie, do whatever you want with him'. That's always been Joe's attitude and I'm sure he says the same to Nicky Henderson."

The trainer added: "That's how sporting he is. Also, a lot of people thought he wouldn't let Paul ride Al Boum Photo again [after he mistakenly rode the horse around the final fence at Punchestown], and he ended up winning the Gold Cup. He gets rewarded for that."

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