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Al Boum Photo is bidding to join the likes of Golden Miller, Cottage Rake, Arkle and Best Mate in the history books by winning the Gold Cup for the third year in a row.
The Willie Mullins-trained horse beat Santini by a neck in last year’s renewal to follow up his comfortable win in 2019.
He is the favourite in our non-runner money back book but Paddy’s trader Frank Hickey believes Al Boum Photo has struggled to connect with the public.
Speaking on the latest episode of our ‘Countdown to Cheltenham’ podcast series, Frank explained why Al Boum Photo triumphing in the Gold Cup could end up being a decent result for our bean counters – and that Paddy Power punters are looking to take him on.
Don’t forget, Paddy is offering non-runner money back on all 28 races at this year’s Cheltenham Festival so there’s no risk of losing out if your pick pulls out.
I’m not sure Al Boum Photo‘s a horse you’d be setting out to get beat because he doesn’t capture the imagination of punters. I can’t see him being overly strong in the market and I reckon people will latch on to A Plus Tard and Royale Pagaille.
I think we’ll actually be looking at the field on the day and seeing the prospect of Al Boum Photo winning being a decent result for us.
He was put straight in at 5/1 after last year’s race but he has not been popular at all. People don’t give him credit for what he’s achieved and they are looking to take him on.
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If he was more of a popular horse with the public, his price would be shorter because not many horses have actually thrown their hat in the ring as credible contenders against him. I think he’ll go off at 9/4, 2/1 or 5/2 – something around that area – but realistically he is more of a 11/8 or 6/4 shot.
I wouldn’t be rushing to back him non-runner money back now, but he will take an awful lot of beating. He’s got versatility, he won a strongly-run Gold Cup in 2019 and a tactical one in 2020 so what beats him?
*Paddy will be all over your telly box throughout the Cheltenham Festival sponsoring ITV’s live coverage from Prestbury Park – and you can get free and exclusive tipping columns EVERY DAY from Ruby Walsh, Matt Chapman and Mick Fitzgerald here on PP News.
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