Don’t miss out on another Photo opportunity

can etch his name into National Hunt folklore by claiming a third victory in the Wellchild Cheltenham Gold Cup.

After years of trying and saddling the runner-up on no less than six occasions, Willie Mullins – the most successful trainer in festival history – finally claimed the biggest prize of them all with this largely unheralded nine-year-old in 2019.

It was by accident rather than design that that triumph came off the back of a solitary low-key run at Tramore on New Year’s Day, but Mullins decided to stick to the plan last season and it yielded the same result in the Cotswolds.

It is hardly surprising, therefore, that Al Boum Photo has again had just the one outing prior to his hat-trick bid, again at Tramore, where he looked a little laboured at times before putting stablemate Acapella Bourgeois firmly in his place.

That form does not look too shabby in light of the latter’s subsequent success in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse, while Mullins has since admitted Al Boum Photo was a little undercooked.

The master of Closutton has been far more positive in the last couple of weeks about a horse who undoubtedly sets the standard, having proven himself over the course and distance in a strongly-run race two years ago and in a more tactical affair last season.

Al Boum Photo is not massively superior to his rivals and faces a couple of new pretenders to his crown. However, while most of his rivals have questions to answer, either in terms of ability, jumping or their capacity to handle the demands of Cheltenham. The defending champion ticks every box and is certainly the safest bet.

SELECTIONS: CHELTENHAM: 1.20 Zanahiyr, 1.55 Gowel Road, 2.30 Barbados Buck’s, 3.05 Al Boum Photo, 3.40 Staker Wallace, 4.15 ELIMAY (NAP), 4.50 Gentleman De Mee. FAKENHAM: 1.10 Ferrobin, 1.45 Olympic Conqueror, 2.20 Zee Man, 2.55 Mr Jack, 3.30 One More Fleurie, 4.05 Sarasota Star, 4.40 The Dellercheckout. LINGFIELD: 1.35 Desert Boots, 2.10 Sense Of Romance, 2.45 Tone The Barone, 3.20 Crimson King, 3.55 Polling Day, 4.30 Unforgotten, 5.05 Princesse Animale.

DOUBLE: Elimay and Gentleman De Mee.