Willie Mullins: Al Boum Photo has 'fantastic chance' to retain Cheltenham Gold Cup

Willie Mullins is excited about the prospect of Al Boum Photo defending his Cheltenham Gold Cup crown three weeks tomorrow, and feels his charge has a “fantastic chance” of successfully doing so. Whilst he acknowledges history is against Joe Donnelly’s gelding, he doesn’t believe this year’s opposition is any tougher than the field he readily took care of in 2019.

The last horse to retain the crown was Best Mate, who was doing so for the second time when winning the race in 2004, and prior to that you have to go back to L’escargot in 1971. Many impressive winners of the race have failed to build on that first success, but Mullins is confident his charge is ready for that challenge.