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Another act of defiance needed as Al Boum again looks to silence the critics

Minella Indo (Jack Kennedy) beats A Plus Tard (Rachael Blackmore) and Al Boum Photo in the Cheltenham Gold CupCheltenham 19.3.21 Pic: Edward Whitaker/Racing Post
Al Boum Photo, pictured chasing home Minella Indo and A Plus Tard in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, has a chance to bounce back in the Punchestown equivalentCredit: Edward Whitaker

For those who saw Al Boum Photo's Cheltenham Gold Cup defeat as the exposing of an imposter masquerading as an equine immortal, defeat at Punchestown on Wednesday would constitute a definitive condemnation.

Curiously unloved and underappreciated, the horse who finally broke Willie Mullins's hoodoo in the sport's greatest race, and then repeated the feat, has not yet benefited from the passage of time to gild his lily.

At this point, Al Boum Photo is still being measured and critiqued, often damned with faint praise for what he isn't rather than what he is. With the benefit of perspective and a dollop of nostalgia, his legacy will doubtless be looked upon more favourably. Right now, though, it feels like he still has to prove himself. All over again.

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Ireland editor

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