Cheltenham Festival tips: Al Boum Photo poised to complete Gold Cup treble

HAT-TRICK CHASE: Paul Townend on Al Boum. The Willie Mullins-trained favourite will face up to a dozen Gold Cup rivals next Friday at Cheltenham. Picture: Morgan Treacy, Inpho

Al Boum Photo is on the verge of joining the greats of National Hunt racing who have won the WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup on three consecutive occasions, and Willie Mullins’ runner can complete the memorable hat-trick on Friday.

For many reasons he has failed to capture the imagination of racing fans, but he was particularly good when winning in 2019, and overcame adversity to successfully defend his crown 12 months ago. That sort of class and versatility is the mark of a top-class horse and while he doesn’t have a huge amount in hand of his rivals, he knows how to win here, and the likely end-to-end gallop will help bring out the best in him.