Al Boum Photo, Clan Des Obeaux and Kemboy face off in Punchestown Gold Cup

5.55 Punchestown
Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup (Grade 1) | 3m½f | 5yo+ | RTE2/RTV

Willie Mullins admits Al Boum Photo "must have a great chance" of Punchestown redemption now that the rematch with Minella Indo is off.

The dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner was sent off 9-4 favourite to emulate Arkle in his bid to win the race for a third time but, after trading at evens on Betfair in running, he was unable to get to the Henry de Bromhead-trained pair of Minella Indo and A Plus Tard.

Mullins felt that Al Boum Photo was not at his best inside the final mile of the Gold Cup and expects an improved showing here.

The champion trainer said: "Al Boum Photo must have a great chance with the defection of Minella Indo. We think he has every chance of running above his Cheltenham form where he didn't sparkle in the last mile. The likely pace here will really suit."

Punchestown Gold Cup: David Jennings on why Melon makes plenty of appeal (Members' Club)

Paul Townend, who has been on board for six of Al Boum Photo's nine wins, was also of the opinion that he was not firing on all cylinders at Cheltenham.

Townend said in his Ladbrokes blog: "He wasn't good enough for Minella Indo at Cheltenham and it's a shame we won't be able to have another crack at him. Clan Des Obeaux adds a bit of spice to the race and you can't rule out Kemboy, who has beaten Al Boum Photo in this race before.

"Al Boum Photo will have to find a bit of improvement from Cheltenham. I think he marginally underperformed on the day, and his jumping could have been better in the last mile of the race. He's a dual Gold Cup winner and, having had only two runs this season, could have a slight freshness advantage."

Kemboy is the defending champion and Mullins thinks his record speaks for itself.

Mullins said: "Kemboy sets the standard here having won the last running of this this race. He came out of Cheltenham very well and will love this ground."

'Clan Des Obeaux had an easy race at Aintree and he loves this time of year'

Paul Nicholls is convinced Clan Des Obeaux has everything in his favour and said his 26-length stroll in the Betway Bowl took little out of him.

Nicholls was crowned champion trainer for a 12th time at Sandown on Saturday and he is bidding to win the Punchestown Gold Cup for a third occasion following Neptune Collonges' back-to-back wins in 2007 and 2008.

After two failed attempts, Nicholls resisted the temptation of running Clan Des Obeaux in the Gold Cup, and his freshness was there for all to see at Aintree. Three of the previous six winners of this race had been successful at Aintree on their last start, including one (Kemboy) in the Betway Bowl.

An aggressive ride in first-time cheekpieces worked the oracle in the Bowl and, in truth, he never really came out of second gear in securing a stylish victory.

Clan Des Obeaux: comes here on the back of a 26-length win in the Bowl at AintreeCredit: Tim Goode (Getty Images)

The ground, the trip and the track should be right up Clan Des Obeaux's street and Nicholls has high hopes for his 170-rated chaser, who arrived in Ireland on Monday.

Nicholls said: "He's in good shape and came out of his race at Aintree well. He's settled in Ireland since arriving on Monday. I always felt this would be a nice race for him. The ground is perfect and he loves Kempton so will be suited going right-handed. He had an easy race the other day and he loves this time of year with the sun on his back."

With Harry Cobden out injured, Sam Twiston-Davies once again takes over on Clan Des Obeaux. He guided him to victory in the 2019 King George and was also on board for both his Betfair Chase second and his King George third this season.

What they say

Willie Mullins, trainer of Easy Game and Melon
There were not many opportunities this week for Easy Game so he takes his chance here. He will like the ground and might pick up some nice prize-money. Melon didn't fire at Cheltenham and it is difficult to see him winning.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Fakir D'Oudairies
I think you can put a line through his only other try at three miles at Leopardstown in December. He's been in good form and he hit the line well at Aintree over two and a half miles so we're hoping for a good run. It was great to see him win a Grade 1 last time because he deserved it, but deserving one doesn't always mean you'll get one. He's been very consistent and has been settling well so I think he'll give himself every chance of staying.

Read more on day two at Punchestown:

5.20 Punchestown: Telmesomethinggirl takes on the boys in Grade 1 clash of three Cheltenham stars

6.30 Punchestown: Mullins expecting another 'very close call' between Sir Gerhard and Kilcruit

7.00 Punchestown: can Mullins' Livelovelaugh reproduce Aintree heroics in €80,000 handicap chase?

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