Dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo to kick off his season at Tramore on New Year’s Day

DUAL Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo will keep up his Festive tradition of running at Tramore on New Year’s Day.

The Willie Mullins-trained star will face just four rivals as he bids to win the Savills New Year’s Day Chase for the third year running.

The nine-year-old has used the Grade 3 as a stepping stone to back-to-back Gold Cup successes for the past two seasons.

It will be his first run since March, and big-race jockey Paul Townend is looking forward to getting back on board his Gold Cup partner.

Townend said: “I suppose it’s a tried and tested route now, so why change it?

“At that time of year you’re guaranteed a bit of safe ground down there at Tramore.

“It’s worked the last two years, and we’d be hoping it works a third time.

“He was pulled out of Leopardstown two seasons ago because of the ground so we re-routed him to Tramore, and it suited.

“The race was there, and he got his ground. It was fine and it suited me he went to the Gold Cup under the radar.

“There was a little more pressure last year – but it’s working, and please God it will come off again.”

Mullins, who has his yard in red-hot form, told the Racing Post that Al Boum Photo is in good heart ahead of his reappearance.

He said: “We’re very happy with Al Boum Photo and he’s all set for Tramore.

“He’s in great shape and the race has worked out very well for him for the last two years so hopefully it works out that way again.”

Al Boum Photo is the 9-2 favourite with Betfair to win his third straight Gold Cup in March, with recent Leopardstown faller Minella Indo next best in the betting at 8-1

Among Al Boum’s Tramore opposition is stablemate Acapella Bourgeois, who was the six-length runner-up in this race last winter.

Mullins also runs Brahma Bull, while John Queally’s Djingle and Andrew McNamara’s I’m A Game Changer complete the field.

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