'Mission accomplished' as Al Boum Photo makes it four on the spin at Tramore

Saturday: Tramore

Al Boum Photo could have kicked every fence out of his way and clung on by a nose to claim a fourth Savills Chase on the trot yet the 4,000 or so giddy faces who turned up to Tramore on New Year's Day would have applauded the dual Gold Cup hero back into the winner's enclosure.

In the end, it wasn't that exciting. The only crackle that came off the best race in Tramore's calendar was when Al Boum Photo fluffed the last fence heading out on the final circuit, but nothing other than a comprehensive victory for the 1-6 favourite ever looked likely.

However, this isn't just a race any more. It's an occasion. The same familiar faces have turned up to see what must be the best horse to have ever raced at the seaside track and, such is the affection he is held in among the locals, track manager Owen Byrne revealed recently that plans are already in place to name a racecourse bar after Willie Mullins' star chaser.

Watch Al Boum Photo record his fourth success in the New Year's Day Chase

The debrief between Mullins and his rider Paul Townend didn't last long. There wasn't much to discuss. Of the four horses trained by the champion trainer, only three finished, with Acapella Bourgeois pulling up after failing to set the tempo up front for his more vaunted stablemate.

That was less than ideal for Al Boum Photo, but sometimes even Lionel Messi has to roll up his sleeves and win dirty. That's exactly what Al Boum Photo did as he led home stablemates Burrows Saint and Brahma Bull in that order.

Bigger prizes are on the horizon but, unlike in previous years where Al Boum Photo charted a path straight to the Gold Cup, Mullins outlined his intention to get another run in before Cheltenham. Where that will be remains a question to be answered.

Mullins said: "Mission accomplished. I thought Burrows Saint ran a cracker in behind. I thought he was going to be a danger, but when Paul pressed the button it was all over. Brahma Bull ran well for a horse who would hate that ground.

"Hopefully Al Boum Photo comes out of that well. He did everything right bar fluffing one fence. Paul said he was just a bit idle in front. Other than that, it went well."

Paul Townend gives the debrief to trainer Willie Mullins following Al Boum Photo's victoryCredit: Patrick McCann

On future targets, Mullins said: "I'd like to get some form of a run into him [before Cheltenham] if something came up, but I'm not thinking beyond today."

Despite the fact that the horse has built up quite a fanbase judging by the crowds of people who came to see a star at Tramore, it bordered on bonkers that some firms saw fit to trim Al Boum Photo's price for the Gold Cup for merely proving he was alive.

However, Paddy Power remained unchanged at 14-1 for him to emulate Best Mate in winning the Gold Cup for a third time. Now that would raise the roof off the Al Boum Photo bar.

Cheltenham Gold Cup
Paddy Power: 7-2 A Plus Tard, 6 Galvin, 8 Minella Indo, 10 Tornado Flyer, 14 Al Boum Photo, Protektorat, 20 bar.

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