Top commentator Simon Holt reckons last year's Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo can strike again at Cheltenham - don't miss his day four tips.
History suggests it will be difficult for AL BOUM PHOTO to follow-up last year's success in Friday's Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup at Cheltenham as there have been only seven multiple winners (Easter Hero, Golden Miller, Cottage Rake, Arkle, L'Escargot, Best Mate and Kauto Star) since the first running of the Festival centrepiece in 1924.
However, what worked last year may work again as the eight-year-old has been given an identical preparation by Willie Mullins winning the Savills Chase at Tramore for the second year running on New Years Day, his only appearance since last season.
As Henrietta Knight showed with Best Mate, Gold Cup candidates don't want too many hard races before March, and Al Boum Photo looked in great nick that day giving 11lb and a six length beating to recent Fairyhouse winner Acapella Bourgeois.
With a few of last season's staying novices in the field - Santini, Delta Work, Lostintranslation - it's possible that this year's renewal will be a bit more competitive but the defending champ does seem to have the right blend of speed and stamina required.
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Last year's third Bristol De Mai is back again after good efforts against Lostintranslation (disappointing next time behind Clan Des Obeaux in the King George) and Santini in the Cotswold Chase here in January, while Delta Work, very closely matched with Santini on their running in last year's RSA Chase, has won the two big Irish trials - the Savills Chase at Leopardstown (from Monalee) and the Irish Gold Cup (from Kemboy and Presenting Percy) in hard-fought fashion.
Last year's fifth Clan des Obeaux turned his second King George into a procession on Boxing Day (the race fell apart somewhat) but could get closer this time under patient tactics and if the ground dries up.
All in all, it looks wide open but Al Boum Photo was a decisive winner 12 months ago and, for me, has fewer questions to answer.
In the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle, SEMPO looks progressive with the likelihood of further improvement up in trip.
Sixth in the Bumper here last year, Joseph O'Brien's gelding has progressed in each of his three starts over hurdles stepping up in trip and, after chasing home Cobbler's Way at Leopardstown in December, made short work of his rivals upped to two-and-three-quarter miles at Thurles.
This requires another step forward but Sempo appears full of potential and can reward a small interest.
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The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle is clearly a race that Martin's son David would like to win, and UMBRIGADO looks a fascinating runner in the final race of the meeting.
This lightly-raced gelding hasn't had things go his way in two starts this season, as he was travelling very well in the home straight at Haydock first time out before looking a clear non-stayer over three miles and, dropped to two miles next time at Ascot, he couldn’t live with the in-form Not So Sleepy who slipped the field.
Two-and-a-half-miles should be his ideal distance and, returning here after a break, one suspects that he will be well primed with Welsh Grand National winning jockey Jack Tudor booked to ride and cheekpieces fitted for the first time.
As a novice last season, Umbrigado appeared very promising but found the rise in class to Grade One company just beyond him at Aintree in April, albeit not disgraced in sixth place behind Reserve Tank. And there is still every chance he could be better than a handicapper in the future.
Preview posted at 1710GMT on 13/03/2020
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