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Photo on course for Gold Cup defence

Wed 12th Feb 2020, 13:46

Al Boum Photo in action at Cheltenham last yearAl Boum Photo in action at Cheltenham last year
© Photo Healy Racing

Reigning champion Al Boum Photo is one of 20 horses still in contention for the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup following the latest scratchings deadline for the six non-novice Grade Ones at next month’s Festival.

The eight-year-old provided Willie Mullins with an elusive first victory in the blue riband last March and is clear favourite with most bookmakers to become the first back-to-back winner since Best Mate.

Mullins could also saddle Kemboy — who defeated Al Boum Photo in an epic Punchestown Gold Cup last spring that will forever be remembered as Ruby Walsh’s swansong — as well as Real Steel.

Another leading contender for Ireland is Gordon Elliott’s Delta Work, who has won both the Savills Chase and the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown this season. Henry de Bromhead’s Monalee and Pat Kelly’s Presenting Percy are other potential challengers.

Leading hopes for home team include Nicky Henderson’s Santini, Colin Tizzard’s pair of Lostintranslation and Native River and the Paul Nicholls-trained dual King George hero Clan Des Obeaux.

Among the 11 horses scratched are last year’s Irish Gold Cup winner Bellshill and the sidelined pair of Road To Respect and 2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup victor Sizing John.

Klassical Dream and Saldier are two of five horses scratched from the Unibet Champion Hurdle, leaving 31 going forward for the feature event on the opening day of the Festival.

The betting is currently headed by Henderson’s mare Epatante and her stablemate Pentland Hills.

The potential Irish challenge still includes De Bromhead’s Irish Champion Hurdle heroine Honeysuckle, while Elliott’s brilliant youngster Envoi Allen retains the option of stepping out of novice company.