Ruby Walsh: I’d back Al Boum Photo for the Gold Cup before he runs at Tramore

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

It was not meant to be for Al Boum Photo when attempting to make it a hat-trick of Gold Cups at last season’s Cheltenham Festival as Willie Mullins’ stable star finished behind Minella Indo and A Plus Tard.

The odds are stacked against the 10-year-old wrestling back the title as the last former champ to achieve the feat was Kauto Star in 2009 when dethroning stablemate Denman.

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It was indicated that Al Boum Photo would run more this term ahead of the Cheltenham feature but the dual Gold Cup winner begins his campaign at his usual stomping ground of Tramore on New Year’s Day.

Despite being behind the market principals in our antepost betting for the Gold Cup 2022, our resident jockey-turned-pundit Ruby Walsh believes Al Boum Photo is good value to regain the crown.

We’ve had a dry autumn so Al Boum Photo hasn’t run as of yet but who’s to say he won’t get a run between January and March?

He looks to be in really good form at home but he’s going to be that kind of price [for Tramore]. I wouldn’t put anyone off backing him each-way for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. I’d prefer to back him for the Gold Cup before he runs at Tramore.

I think plenty of the favourites raised question marks about themselves over the Christmas period.

Willie has felt he didn’t have Al Boum Photo as well as he could have in last year’s Gold Cup. He was not beaten that far, he’s a dual winner and he stays. Alright, he takes the odd chance jumping but they all can do that.

I just think he’s proven he can do that and he’s a very fair price each way.

*Odds quoted on the second 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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