'I love everything about him' - our experts assess the Gold Cup dangers to Photo

Al Boum Photo returns to action at Tramore on New Year’s Day in preparation for the Cheltenham Gold Cup which he has won for the last two seasons. Unraced since March, Al Boum Photo is a top-priced 9-2 favourite to secure a hat-trick back at Cheltenham in 11 weeks. With the festive battles fought, our experts assess who will provide the biggest threat to the Willie Mullins-trained star.

'No star lurking among opposition'

It seems strange to say this about a dual Gold Cup winner but Al Boum Photo doesn’t set a fearsome standard. His career-high Racing Post Rating of 178 has been equalled or bettered four times in the last ten Gold Cups by Long Run, Bobs Worth, Coneygree and Don Cossack.

Al Boum Photo is more of a Best Mate than a Kauto Star in pure ability. He is a sound jumper who travels and stays well. An ideal Gold Cup horse, but vulnerable to a star.