Townend’s Golden joy on Al Boum
7-4fav Tracked leaders, closed 4th, not fluent next, every chance normal 2 out, no extra in 3rd final 50 yards, 3rd of 9, 8l behind This Breac at Leicester 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Feb.
11-2 Held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 9, 30l behind Blue Hussar at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
7-1 In touch, hit 4th, went 2nd 9th, led 3 out, headed before mistake last, one pace flat, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Cap Du Nord at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Jan. 13-2 Slight lead until 4th, chased winner, reminders after 4 out, lost 2nd after next, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 8, 34l behind Enrichissant at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
8-1 Held up, mistake 5th, shaken up next, headway to track winner 7th, lost place 3 out, soon beaten, jumped slowly next, tailed off in 3rd when blundered and unseated rider last, in a race won by Destinee Royale at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Feb, 6 ran.
40-1 Prominent, effort over 3f out, ridden and every chance 2f out to over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 4l behind Cool Possibility at Newcastle 2m NH flat (4) in Feb. 100-1 Towards rear, pushed along 4 out, soon lost place, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by The Composeur at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Feb, 12 ran. 16-1 Chased leaders, ridden before 2 out, no extra run-in, 5th of 6, 26l behind Rizzardo at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
AL Boum Photo galloped into National Hunt folklore as he joined the elite band of horses to record back-to-back victories in the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Giving Willie Mullins a fantastic four-timer on the day, Al Boum Photo (100-30 favourite) had to dig deep to see off the opposition in a close finish up the famous hill.
Al Boum Photo, Santini, Lostintranslation and Real Steel had led the pack heading to two out, where Presenting Percy fell.
Paul Townend set sail after the last and the winning post came just in time as Santini closed the gap to a neck at the line.
Lostintranslation was a length and a quarter away in third place, with the always-prominent Monalee fourth and Delta Work fifth, having struggled to get into contention following a mistake at the second fence.
Townend said: “I thought I’d never feel anything like the feeling I had here last year, (but) I think this is even better. It’s all about this, it’s all about this lad.
“Unreal, it’s a credit to Willie. To come here with one run (this season), the man’s a genius.”
He added: “I went out with a plan to get in a rhythm, but he missed a few fences, luckily he always found his feet.
“At the top of the hill he started to jump better – I ended up in front sooner than I wanted, but I was able to hang on and he produced at the last.
“It was completely different to last year, but most importantly it was the same result.
“He’s a legend, he has everything – guts along with class.”
Mullins said: “It’s fantastic, an absolutely unbelievable day. That man there on the screen, Paul Townend – people said he was under pressure. Paul does his own thing, he probably rides better under a little bit of pressure - really, really good from him.
“It’s not easy to take over from someone like Ruby Walsh, but Paul’s gone and stamped his authority this season in Ireland riding for our yard, so I’m really delighted for him.
“I left him alone, I asked what he was going to do. I think the horse wanted a bit more of the action as it unfolded, he didn’t disappoint the horse. He let the horse do it and that’s a rider riding with huge confidence.
“It worked out, so I’m really happy and delighted for Paul.”
On having the same preparation as last year, he said: “We just decided to follow what happened last year, why change it if it works? Thankfully it paid off.
“I think it was only history against him today. I didn’t think the race was as tough as last year, Paul was brave on him and the whole thing came together. It’s Paul’s day today.”