Betting
CHELTENHAM REWIND | Willie Mullins and Paul Townend’s Gold Cup hoodoo ends with Al Boum Photo
The Irish trainer’s 31-year-wait for success in the Cheltenham Festival’s showpiece event came to end in 2019 with Al Boum Photo’s success
To celebrate Willie Mullins and Paul Townend turning 65 & 31, today’s rewind takes a look back at their first Cheltenham Gold Cup success together – with Al Boum Photo in the 2019 renewal of the contest.
Going off as a 12/1 shot, the gelding was slightly unknown after only running once since April 2018, landing a comfortable success in the Listed Savills Chase at Tramore in January.
The then seven-year-old was the only runner of four remaining under the Closutton trainer at the halfway mark as Kemboy, Bellshill and Invitation Only had made early exits out of the contest.
Coming around the home bend, Mullin’s recruit began to draw nearer to the leading pair of Native River and Might Bite, pushing his way through the pair as they made the way into the home straight.
Fending off the late challenge of Bristol De Mai, the gelding flew home in the final stages to land success by two and a half lengths.
Al Boum Photo would return to Cheltenham to land a Gold Cup double a year later, before finishing third in the 2021 renewal of the contest.
