'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.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on 30 December 2020inNews
Last updated 15:17, 30 December 2020
- Merci Olivier! No final winner for Olivier Peslier but the world of racing unites in saluting the end of a great career
- The latest edition of the Racing Post is available to read online now - here's how you can access it
- How Smart View recorded a 76 per cent profit at the Cheltenham Festival
- Smart View is available on the Racing Post app - how to read the revolutionary new racecard
- Levy reform talks 'accelerating' as clock ticks down to April deadline for agreement
- Merci Olivier! No final winner for Olivier Peslier but the world of racing unites in saluting the end of a great career
- The latest edition of the Racing Post is available to read online now - here's how you can access it
- How Smart View recorded a 76 per cent profit at the Cheltenham Festival
- Smart View is available on the Racing Post app - how to read the revolutionary new racecard
- Levy reform talks 'accelerating' as clock ticks down to April deadline for agreement