'I love everything about him' - our experts assess the Gold Cup dangers to Photo
Al Boum Photo returns to action at Tramore on New Year’s Day in preparation for the Cheltenham Gold Cup which he has won for the last two seasons. Unraced since March, Al Boum Photo is a top-priced 9-2 favourite to secure a hat-trick back at Cheltenham in 11 weeks. With the festive battles fought, our experts assess who will provide the biggest threat to the Willie Mullins-trained star.
'No star lurking among opposition'
It seems strange to say this about a dual Gold Cup winner but Al Boum Photo doesn’t set a fearsome standard. His career-high Racing Post Rating of 178 has been equalled or bettered four times in the last ten Gold Cups by Long Run, Bobs Worth, Coneygree and Don Cossack.
Al Boum Photo is more of a Best Mate than a Kauto Star in pure ability. He is a sound jumper who travels and stays well. An ideal Gold Cup horse, but vulnerable to a star.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inNews
Last updated
Copy- 'It’s really exciting we can connect Wentworth's story to Stubbs' - last chance to catch master painter's homecoming
- The jumps season is getting into full swing - and now is the perfect time to join Racing Post Members' Club with 50% off
- 'It's just another level' - Abbaye success kickstarts a famous week for Brightwalton Stud
- Join the same team as Ryan Moore, Harry Cobden and other top jockeys with 50% off Racing Post Members' Club
- 'Nothing positive can come out of this for racing' - Betfair founder Andrew Black issues stark warning as affordability checks come into play
- 'It’s really exciting we can connect Wentworth's story to Stubbs' - last chance to catch master painter's homecoming
- The jumps season is getting into full swing - and now is the perfect time to join Racing Post Members' Club with 50% off
- 'It's just another level' - Abbaye success kickstarts a famous week for Brightwalton Stud
- Join the same team as Ryan Moore, Harry Cobden and other top jockeys with 50% off Racing Post Members' Club
- 'Nothing positive can come out of this for racing' - Betfair founder Andrew Black issues stark warning as affordability checks come into play