*Odds quoted on the widget are Future Racing/Antepost prices which means that if your selection does not run in the race for whatever reason, you will lose your stake under traditional antepost rules
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Ruby Walsh and Frank Hickey both feel Al Boum Photo has it all to do if he is to reverse the Cheltenham Gold Cup form against Minella Indo at Punchestown Festival.
The Willie Mullins-trained charge was aiming for a historic third consecutive Gold Cup at Prestbury Park but had to settle for third behind the Henry de Bromhead pair of Minella Indo and A Plus Tard in a classic renewal.
Al Boum Photo and Minella Indo are now set to face off once again in the Punchestown Gold Cup [Wednesday, April 28, 17.55], with the latter installed as antepost favourite, and Ruby and Frank are expecting a close battle.
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Speaking on the latest episode of Paddy Power’s From The Horse’s Mouth podcast, Ruby said: “I think this race is priced right, because where does Al Boum Photo find the 5½l on Minella Indo?
“The pair had never met before the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Minella Indo brought his A-game, which we didn’t see at Leopardstown.
“We know Al Boum Photo stays really well, but he got beaten here by Kemboy in 2019, so I would be in the Minella Indo camp.”
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Frank Hickey agrees, although our expert trader suggests the antepost market does not accurately reflect the difference in ability between the principal contenders.
“The difference in price between Minella Indo and Al Boum Photo is potentially too big,” said Frank.
“I just think that Cheltenham is Minella Indo’s perfect track and I wouldn’t be shocked to see the form reverse here. At the same time, he was very good at Cheltenham and he deserves to be favourite.
“I felt Al Boum Photo ran 5lbs or 6lbs below his mark of 175 at Cheltenham and Minella Indo roughly ran to around 176. That is just me guessing but I wouldn’t be sure if Minella Indo could run to that again and if Al Boum Photo can come back to his best, they would be a lot closer.
“It’s not just between the two of them, because Kemboy is suited to Punchestown while Fakir D’Oudairies was very good at Aintree but he has a quick turnaround to come here – although he didn’t have the hardest of races. You never know what you’re going to get from Melon, while Tiger Roll is also in there. If he gets beaten, the handicap mark will drop like the owners want.
“I wouldn’t be rushing to lump on Minella Indo but he deserves to be favourite. It wouldn’t surprise me if Al Boum Photo gets close but I think Minella Indo will win.”
*Odds quoted on the widget are Future Racing/Antepost prices which means that if your selection does not run in the race for whatever reason, you will lose your stake under traditional antepost rules
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