Al Boum Photo's intriguing price highlights what a wide-open Gold Cup awaits us
Expectations surrounding returning Gold Cup winners always vary but when you have one coming back having enjoyed an identically smooth preparation as he did first time round and he is still only challenging for outright favouritism, at around 4-1, it reinforces the sense that we have yet another wide-open Magners-sponsored showpiece.
Throw in that Al Boum Photo is trained by one the most prolific trainers in Cheltenham Festival history and the lack of market faith suggested by his odds is even more intriguing. Remember, we do not have any of the respective winners of 2019 Arkle Trophy, Marsh or RSA Novices’ Chases, yet still punters are not convinced by the reigning champion.
When Best Mate faced the starter ahead of his second triumph in 2003, he returned a 13-8 SP and when Kauto Star lost his title to Denman in that epic 2008 duel, he was as short as 10-11.
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