WHO IS A VALUE BET INSTEAD OF THE FAVOURITE AL BOUM PHOTO?
RUBY WALSH – ELEGANT ESCAPE (EACH/WAY) @ 66/1
I think Al Boum Photo is the class horse in the race.
I would not have been in favour of Santini, but that changed a little when the 12-horse field was confirmed. That is a very small field for the Gold Cup and although I think Santini lacks a gear, with only he and Bristol De Mai set to dictate the pace it gives him a better chance. It’ll be an easier ride for Nico de Boinville on Santini in a smaller field. He’s a strong stayer.
I’m an Al Boum Photo fan, and I always have been. He’s a class horse and he’s had the same preperation as he did last year. I think he’ll be hard to beat.
But an outsider always runs into the money at the Gold Cup and I was delighted to see Elegant Escape declare. He could have a good chance of a place.
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PADDY POWER – LOSTINTRANSLATION @ 6/1 and PRESENTING PERCY @ 12/1
Al Boum Photo is an obvious choice and an obvious favourite. But for some reason it’s hard to win back-to-back Gold Cups.
I like Lostintranslation, and will forgive his pretty poor showing in the King George where he was pulled up. He beat Bristol De Mai at Haydock in what was his rival’s home track and that was impressive. Hopefully he’ll go OK.
An outsider, because I love him, Presenting Percy.
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FRANK HICKEY – BRISTOL DE MAI @ 25/1
I still think there’s value in Al Boum Photo at 7/2. A lot of people are saying it’s very difficult to win two consecutive Gold Cups, but not many seven-year-old’s win it and get the chance to come back fit and healthy to defend.
Best Mate is the last one to do it, but he was kept fresh every time he came back. I think Willie Mullins has done the right thing here. He was very impressive last year, and there’s every chance he’ll improve being only aged eight. He’s the same age as Santini and I think at 7/2 he’s a big price. I think he’ll be very difficult to beat.
For an outsider to fight their way into a place, I thought Bristol De Mai ran a cracker in this race last year and you regularly see horses come back and hit the frame on more than one occasion. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him place.
- All prices correct at the time of publishing.
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