Dual Gold Cup hero Al Boum Photo bids for fourth New Year's Day win at Tramore

Al Boum Photo bids to land a remarkable four wins in a row in Saturday's Savills New Year's Day Chase at Tramore with trainer Willie Mullins set to dominate proceedings in the feature Grade 3 contest.

Mullins will field five of the six runners in the 2m6f race, led by Al Boum Photo, who was last seen in action when runner-up in the Punchestown Gold Cup.

The January 1 fixture has been the regular course reappearance for the ten-year-old in the last three seasons, including a 19-length romp in the previous running under Paul Townend.

2.20 Tramore: Savills New Year's Day Chase full card

Annamix, Brahma Bull and Burrows Saint will all carry the Ricci silks for the Mullins yard alongside stablemate Acapella Bourgeois, who was runner-up in last season's contest before claiming Grade 3 victory at Fairyhouse.

Hardline will be the sole challenger to take on the Mullins team for Gordon Elliott, who last won this race in 2013 with Roi Du Mee.

McFabulous back for more at Cheltenham

Mullins will also send a runner to Britain in search of more Graded success with top-level-winning mare Stormy Ireland set to take on six rivals in the Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle (3.10) at Cheltenham's New Year's Day meeting.

A distant finisher behind Honeysuckle on her seasonal reappearance, Stormy Ireland will face last season's winner McFabulous and fellow market leader Brewin'upastorm.

Brewin'upastorm: easy winner at Aintree in November for Olly MurphyCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The Olly Murphy-trained Brewin'upastorm made a winning start to the season with an impressive nine-length victory in the Betway Hurdle in November at Aintree under regular jockey Aidan Coleman.

Guard Your Dreams will also look to continue his success at Cheltenham after landing the Grade 2 International Hurdle this month under Sam Twiston-Davies.

The field is completed by last season's runner-up On The Blind Side and West Yorkshire Hurdle winner Indefatigable.

Fusil Raffles misses feature handicap

Ante-post favourite Fusil Raffles was not declared for the Paddy Power New Year's Day Handicap Chase (2.00) that headlines Cheltenham's first meeting of 2022.

The Nicky Henderson-trained runner headed the market during the early entries for the 2m4½f chase but was left out of the final declarations on Thursday, with Henderson solely represented by Janika under James Bowen.

Recent Racing Post Gold Cup winner Coole Cody challenges for top place in the betting alongside Alnadam, who represents last year's winning trainer Dan Skelton.

Also set to feature in the field of 16 is the Venetia Williams-trained Funambule Silvola, who finished only three-and-a-quarter lengths behind star chaser Shishkin at Aintree last season before placing second in the Peterborough Chase this month.

Williams, who won the contest in 2019 with Aso, also sends out her exciting novice chaser L'Homme Presse on Saturday as he bids for a hat-trick in the Paddy Power Novices' Chase (1.25) following two impressive wins this season since switching to fences.

L'Homme Presse seeking the hat-trick in the Grade 2 at Cheltenham on SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Grade 2 will be fascinating clash between the mount of Charlie Deutsch and Millers Bank, who made an eyecatching start to chasing at Huntingdon in October for trainer Alex Hales.

The pair head a field of nine with last year's winning trainer Alan King saddling The Glancing Queen, who also seeks her third win on the bounce.

Confirmed runners and riders for the Savills New Year's Day Chase

Accapella Bourgeois Jack Foley
Al Boum Photo Paul Townend
Annamix Darragh O'Keeffe
Brahma Bull Jody McGarvey
Burrows Saint Brian Hayes
Hardline Jack Kennedy

Read more . . .

'He has a decent handicap in him' – seven to follow from the festive period

Trainer Brian McMahon appeals against €6,000 fine for running and riding breach

Racing Post exclusive offer. New customers can get £30 in free bets. First single & e/w bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 6 x £5 bet token. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets redeemable on horseracing only. Free bets are non-withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions. Further T&Cs apply. 18+. begambleaware.org.