Al Boum Photo joins the greats with second Gold Cup success

History was made on Friday afternoon at Prestbury Park as the Willie Mullins-trained, Paul Townend-ridden and Marie and Joe Donnelly-owned Al Boum Photo joined the illustrious band of back-to-back winners of the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Not since Best Mate in 2004 had a horse retained the crown, and there were distinct similarities Henrietta Knight’s superstar and this year’s winner. Knight received plenty of criticism for her light campaigning of her horse, but it worked to bridge a gap of more than 30 years to L’Escargot, the last to retain his crown before Best Mate.