Talking Horses: Al Boum Photo to claim repeat victory in Gold Cup


Having waited so long for a first success in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Willie Mullins is poised to make it two in a row, thanks to last year’s winner

Having waited so long for a first success in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Willie Mullins is poised to make it two in a row, thanks to Al Boum Photo (3.30). The rangy bay ground his way remorselessly to the prize a year ago and something similar will probably be good enough against a list of rivals with questions to answer.

For years, Mullins used to joke that he had no idea what makes a Gold Cup winner but the formula he hit on with Al Boum Photo last year, having a quiet prep run at Tramore on New Year’s Day, has been repeated.

Related: Samcro claims Cheltenham glory as Lisnagar Oscar pulls off Stayers' shock

Cheltenham 1.30 A Wave Of The Sea (nb) 2.10 Saint Roi (nap) 2.50 Latest Exhibition 3.30 Al Boum Photo 4.10 Shantou Flyer 4.50 Chosen Mate 5.30 Column Of Fire

Lingfield 1.45 Miss Elsa 2.20 Claudius Secundus 3.00 Unforgiving Minute 3.40 Almqvist 4.20 Renardeau 5.00 Pledge Of Peace

Fakenham 1.55 Swaffham Bulbeck 2.35 Onefortheroadtom 3.15 Sorbet 3.55 Josie Abbing 4.35 Homer 5.10 Ozzy Thomas

Southwell 6.00 Badger Berry 6.30 Mews House 7.00 Aleef 7.30 Arafi 8.00 Love Your Work 8.30 Accessor

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