Al Boum Photo returns in style

Al Boum Photo remains on track for Cheltenham after winning the Savills New Year’s Day Chase at Tramore for the third time.

The nine-year-old returned to action for the first time since winning the Gold Cup for a second time at Prestbury Park.

Willie Mullins’ charge faced just four rivals in Friday’s race, with Djingle setting a frantic pace at the front of the field.

By the closing stages, only Al Boum Photo and stable companion Acapella Bourgeois were left and the former won by 19 lengths in the end.

Mullins’ charge remains the favourite for this year’s Gold Cup, and the Irish handler says he will head straight to Cheltenham.

He told reporters: “He jumped very well and Paul said he was just so idle on his own in the middle of the race, he didn’t even think he was in race. He had to roust him up down the back, but once he got racing he was fine. Lack of company was a bigger worry for Paul than anything else.

“The ground is very, very testing out there. We are happy with his performance; he did what he was asked to do. We just hope now that he comes out of it sound and well and we will plan for the Festival. That’s the first hurdle jumped anyway.

“I usually like to do what has worked before, and hopefully, it will work again. A lot of ours are improving for their first run of the year, and I’m expecting him to do the same.”

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