Mullins much happier with Al Boum Photo after key racecourse gallop at Navan

Just over a week after warning punters that Al Boum Photo was not sparking in his work, Willie Mullins described himself as being much happier with the dual Gold Cup winner as the champion trainer worked a number of high-profile stars after racing at Navan on Saturday.

Energumene, who suffered a stone bruise earlier in the week, was also put through his paces at Navan, with Mullins revealing he was keeping everything crossed for Tony Bloom's crack two-miler to pull out of his box sound on Sunday morning and remain on course for a potentially explosive rematch with Shishkin in the Champion Chase.

“I was much, much happier with Al Boum Photo [who wore cheekpieces] there,” Mullins said, as the sun came down at Navan. “Paul was delighted with him. Hopefully, he will have put that bit of bad work behind himself now.”

Willie Mullins: “We just hope that Energumene comes out of that well'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Mullins added: “We just hope that Energumene comes out of that well and that there isn’t any tickle in the morning. But Paul [Townend] was very, very happy with him as well.

“He gave him a squeeze from the last fence and he said he moved perfectly, so we hope nothing shows up in the morning.”

The work was described as “half pace” by Mullins and is likely to be the last bit of serious exercise ahead of the festival for those who took part.

He said: “Energumene jumped three fences and had a nice blowout. Patrick [Mullins] rode Haut En Couleurs and Saint Sam. They all jumped and were fine. Klassical Dream was out there as well and was keen. Paul was happy again."

Mullins added: “Whatdeawant went very well. El Fabiolo was keen, Dinoblue went well, Capodanno jumped fences and Mark [Walsh] was happy. Tax For Max was good, Ganapathi did a nice half speed and Gaelic Warrior was good as well. We're happy so far anyway and we'll see what they're all like in the morning.”

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