Al Boum Photo is among a field of 12 as he seeks to join an elite list as a three-time winner of the WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday.

Only Golden Miller (five times), Cottage Rake, Arkle and Best Mate have won chasing’s blue riband event three years in a row – and Willie Mullins’ charge is favourite to join them on Friday.

Ireland’s champion trainer also runs Kemboy, a multiple Grade 1 winner in his own right who is having his third run in the race, having unseated his rider in 2019 and finished seventh last year.

Perhaps an even bigger story, though, would be if Champion Hurdle victor Rachael Blackmore were to complete a historic double on Henry de Bromhead’s A Plus Tard, who came from the clouds to win the Savills Chase at Christmas.

He is owned by Cheveley Park Stud, and their managing director Chris Richardson said: “He travelled well, and Henry seems very happy with him.

“He was very impressive in the Savills. He didn’t look the winner there as he turned for home, but we were delighted that he won in the last stride and got the trip so well.

“It’s a dream to have a runner in the Gold Cup.”

SECOND STRING

De Bromhead also has a decent second string in Minella Indo, who went close to winning for a second time at the meeting last year when second to the fast-finishing Champ in the race now known as the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase.

Nicky Henderson’s Champ has not had the ideal preparation, but he did finally reappear in the rearranged Game Spirit 26 days ago over two miles, and he takes his chance in the Festival feature.

He is the mount of Nico de Boinville, meaning the ride on last year’s runner-up and stablemate Santini goes to Aidan Coleman.

Just behind Santini and Al Boum Photo 12 months ago was Colin Tizzard’s Lostintranslation, but he has failed to run to form three times this season and needs to bounce back.

VETERAN CHASER

Tizzard’s veteran Native River is also back for another run in the race – having finished third, first and fourth previously.

The King George VI Chase winner Frodon and Bryony Frost would also be popular winners.

Having won the Ryanair Chase two years ago, Frodon needs to prove his stamina for this trip, but a victory would mean Paul Nicholls joins Tom Dreaper on five wins in the great race.

Venetia Williams runs two in Aso and the novice Royale Pagaille, with Tom George’s Black Op also declared.

TRIUMPH CLASH

Tritonic and Zanahiyr are among eight juveniles declared for the JCB Triumph Hurdle.

Zanahiyr is unbeaten in three starts over hurdles this season and edges favouritism for Denise Foster, who recently took over the training licence at Cullentra House from the suspended Gordon Elliott.

The Alan King-trained Tritonic, who was runner-up on the Flat at Royal Ascot last summer, is the clear pick of the home team after successive jumping wins at Ascot and Kempton.

Next in the betting is Quilixios, who is three from three since arriving in Ireland and impressed in Grade 1 company at last month’s Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown.

The Cheveley Park Stud-owned four-year-old will make his debut for Henry de Bromhead under Rachael Blackmore after being moved from Elliott’s yard earlier in the month.

David Pipe has high hopes for course-and-distance winner Adagio, while Willie Mullins runs Tax For Max and Haut En Couleurs, who was a narrow winner on his only previous start in France.

Historic Heart (Nigel Hawke) and Talking About You (Sean Curran) complete the octet.

LARGER FIELD

A much larger field of 17 runners have been declared for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.

Leading Irish hopes for the three-mile contest include the Mullins-trained Stattler and Foster’s pair of Fakiera and Torygraph.

Paul Nicholls is responsible for two of the big British-trained contenders in Barbados Buck’s and Threeunderthrufive.

Fergal O’Brien’s Alaphilippe and Adrimel from Tom Lacey’s yard are others to consider in a competitive heat.

Petit Mouchoir heads a maximum field of 26 runners for the McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle, while likely favourite Billaway heads 18 declared for the St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup.

Mullins appears to hold the aces in the inaugural Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase, with market principals Elimay and Colreevy, as well as Salsaretta and Cabaret Queen, part of an 11-strong line-up.

Ireland’s champion trainer is also responsible for the likely favourite in the concluding Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle in the form of the JP McManus-owned Gentleman De Mee.

FULL RUNNERS & RIDERS FOR CHELTENHAM FRIDAY

1:20pm JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 179y

1 Adagio (GER) 4 11 0 David Pipe Bryan Drew and Friends / Prof. C.Tisdall Tom Scudamore

2 Haut En Couleurs (FR) 4 11 0 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mrs J. Donnelly P. Townend

3 Historic Heart (IRE) v 4 11 0 Nigel Hawke Atlantic Friends Racing David Noonan

4 Quilixios 4 11 0 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Cheveley Park Stud Rachael Blackmore

5 Tax For Max (GER) h 4 11 0 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede Daryl Jacob

6 Tritonic 4 11 0 Alan King McNeill Family & Mr Ian Dale A. P. Heskin

7 Zanahiyr (IRE) ts 4 11 0 Mrs Denise Foster Ireland Noel Moran/Mrs Valerie Moran Jack Kennedy

8 Talking About You 4 10 7 Sean Curran Mr Ian M. McGready Harry Bannister

1:55pm McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m 179y

1 Petit Mouchoir (FR) p 10 11 12 Mrs Denise Foster Ireland Noel Moran/Mrs Valerie Moran Jordan Gainford (7)

2 Global Citizen (IRE) 9 11 7 Ben Pauling The Megsons David Bass

3 Cayd Boy (FR) 6 11 6 Miss Elizabeth Doyle Ireland Mr John P. McManus

4 Edwardstone 7 11 5 Alan King Robert Abrey & Ian Thurtle Tom Cannon

5 Darasso (FR) bl,ts 8 11 4 Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland Mr John P. McManus J. J. Slevin

6 Buildmeupbuttercup h,ts 7 11 4 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr J. Turner

7 Drop The Anchor (IRE) 7 11 3 P. A. Fahy Ireland Mr John P. McManus Simon Torrens (3)

8 Le Patriote (FR) bl 9 11 2 Dr Richard Newland Canard Vert Racing Club Cillin Leonard (7)

9 Champagne Gold (IRE) 6 11 1 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Mr Barry Maloney Rachael Blackmore

10 Third Time Lucki (IRE) 6 11 0 Dan Skelton Mike and Eileen Newbould Harry Skelton

11 Mengli Khan (IRE) ts, p 8 10 13 Nicky Henderson Mr Michael Blencowe Nico de Boinville

12 You Raised Me Up (IRE) ts 8 10 12 Martin Brassil Ireland Chiat Kwong Ching/S. Mulryan Darragh O'Keeffe

13 Wolf Prince (IRE) 5 10 11 Gavin Cromwell Ireland Mr Patrick Sheanon Jonathan Moore

14 Thyme White (FR) 5 10 11 Paul Nicholls The Stewart Family Harry Cobden

15 Milkwood (IRE) 7 10 11 Neil Mulholland Ms J. Bridel Robert Dunne

16 Ciel De Neige (FR) p 6 10 11 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr John P. McManus

17 Ganapathi (FR) 5 10 11 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mrs J. Donnelly

18 Eclair de Beaufeu (FR) 7 10 10 Mrs Denise Foster Ireland Gigginstown House Stud Jack Kennedy

19 Saint d'Oroux (FR) ts, p 5 10 9 Mrs Denise Foster Ireland Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede Daryl Jacob

20 Gowel Road (IRE) p 5 10 8 Nigel Twiston-Davies Options O Syndicate Sam Twiston-Davies

21 Getaway Gorgeous (IRE) h 7 10 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Whitegrass Getaway Syndicate

22 Anna Bunina (FR) ts 5 10 6 John McConnell Ireland Ms Caroline Ahearn

23 Fifty Ball (FR) 6 10 6 Gary Moore Mr Steven Packham Joshua Moore

24 Captain Kangaroo (IRE) 6 10 2 W. P. Mullins Ireland Kanga Racing & Brett Graham Syndicate

25 Strong Glance 8 10 2 Olly Murphy Welfordgolf syndicate Aidan Coleman

26 Belfast Banter (IRE) ts 6 10 0 Peter Fahey Ireland Direct Bloodstock Limited Kevin Sexton

2:30pm Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered as The Spa Novices' Hurdle) 2m 7f 213y

1 Adrimel (FR) ts, p 6 11 5 Tom Lacey Lady Bamford & Alice Bamford Richard Johnson

2 Alaphilippe (IRE) 7 11 5 Fergal O'Brien Mr Nic Brereton Paddy Brennan

3 Ask A Honey Bee (IRE) p 7 11 5 Fergal O'Brien Lewis, Lawson and Hope Connor Brace

4 Barbados Buck's (IRE) 6 11 5 Paul Nicholls The Stewart Family Harry Cobden

5 Beatthebullet (IRE) p 7 11 5 Rebecca Curtis Miss Rebecca Curtis

6 Castle Robin (IRE) ts 6 11 5 Charlie Longsdon Bradley Partnership Paul O'Brien

7 Champagnesuperover (IRE) ts 6 11 5 Olly Murphy McNeill Family & Patrick&Scott Bryceland Aidan Coleman

8 Fakiera (FR) p 6 11 5 Mrs Denise Foster Ireland Mr T. O'Driscoll Keith Donoghue

9 N'Golo (IRE) h,ts 6 11 5 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mrs S. Ricci

10 Oscar Elite (IRE) ts 6 11 5 Colin Tizzard Mrs Mary-Ann Middleton Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

11 Pats Fancy (IRE) 6 11 5 Rebecca Curtis Hydes,McDermott,Spencer,Frobisher & Lee Rachael Blackmore

12 Stattler (IRE) 6 11 5 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr R. A. Bartlett P. Townend

13 Streets of Doyen (IRE) p 7 11 5 John McConnell Ireland Ms Caroline Ahearn

14 The Cob (IRE) 7 11 5 Ben Pauling The Ben Pauling Racing Club Daryl Jacob

15 Threeunderthrufive (IRE) 6 11 5 Paul Nicholls McNeill Family A. P. Heskin

16 Torygraph (IRE) p 6 11 5 Mrs Denise Foster Ireland Gigginstown House Stud Jack Kennedy

17 Vanillier (FR) ts 6 11 5 Gavin Cromwell Ireland Mrs H. M. Keaveney Jonathan Moore

3:05pm WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) 3m 2f 70y

1 Al Boum Photo (FR) 9 11 10 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mrs J. Donnelly P. Townend

2 A Plus Tard (FR) ts 7 11 10 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Cheveley Park Stud Rachael Blackmore

3 Aso (FR) p 11 11 10 Venetia Williams The Bellamy Partnership Daryl Jacob

4 Black Op (IRE) ts, p 10 11 10 Tom George Mr R. S. Brookhouse Tom Scudamore

5 Champ (IRE) 9 11 10 Nicky Henderson Mr John P. McManus Nico de Boinville

6 Frodon (FR) ts 9 11 10 Paul Nicholls Mr P. J. Vogt Bryony Frost

7 Kemboy (FR) 9 11 10 W. P. Mullins Ireland Kemboy/Brett Graham/Ken Sharp Syndicate Daniel Mullins

8 Lostintranslation (IRE) ts 9 11 10 Colin Tizzard Taylor & O'Dwyer Robbie Power

9 Minella Indo (IRE) 8 11 10 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Mr Barry Maloney Jack Kennedy

10 Native River (IRE) bl 11 11 10 Colin Tizzard Brocade Racing Richard Johnson

11 Royale Pagaille (FR) 7 11 10 Venetia Williams Mrs S. Ricci Charlie Deutsch

12 Santini v 9 11 10 Nicky Henderson Mr & Mrs R. Kelvin-Hughes Aidan Coleman

3:40pm St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase 3m 2f 70y

1 Billaway (IRE) 9 12 0 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr J. Turner P. Townend

2 Bob And Co (FR) h,ts 10 12 0 Paul Nicholls David Maxwell Racing Limited Sean Bowen

3 Chameron (FR) ts 8 12 0 S. Loxton Mr Paul Nicholls & Mr John Bolton Harry Cobden

4 Hazel Hill (IRE) 13 12 0 Mel Rowley Mrs D. Williams Alex Edwards

5 It Came To Pass (IRE) 11 12 0 Eugene M. O'Sullivan Ireland Mrs Alurie O'Sullivan Richie McLernon

6 Latenightpass 8 12 0 T. Ellis Mrs P. A. Ellis Bridget Andrews

7 Law of Gold (IRE) 8 12 0 David Kemp Mr David Kemp Jack Quinlan

8 Mighty Stowaway (IRE) bl,ts 10 12 0 Mrs Denise Foster Ireland Philip J. Reynolds Jack Kennedy

9 Monbeg Gold (IRE) p 11 12 0 Mrs Jonjo O'Neill Mrs Jonjo O'Neill Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

10 Mr Mantilla (IRE) 7 12 0 D. J. Jeffreys No Gimmes Partnership Kielan Woods

11 Porlock Bay (FR) 10 12 0 Will Biddick Mr John Studd Lorcan Williams

12 Ravished (IRE) 13 12 0 J. J. O'Shea Mr A. Spender Thomas Garner

13 Red Indian 9 12 0 Kelly Morgan Sir Johnny Weatherby David Noonan

14 Salvatore 8 12 0 Mel Rowley Miss D. Cope Lee Edwards

15 Sonneofpresenting (IRE) 11 12 0 Miss Sarah Rippon Miss Sarah Rippon William Kennedy

16 Staker Wallace (IRE) 10 12 0 Enda Bolger Ireland Mr John P. McManus Mark Walsh

17 Stand Up And Fight (IRE) bl 9 12 0 Enda Bolger Ireland Mr John P. McManus Darragh O'Keeffe

18 Wishing And Hoping (IRE) 11 12 0 Mel Rowley Mrs Peter Andrews Bryony Frost

4:15pm Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase (Registered as The Liberthine Mares' Chase) (Grade 2) 2m 4f 127y

1 Colreevy (IRE) 8 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mrs N. Flynn P. Townend

2 Elimay (FR) 7 11 5 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr John P. McManus

3 Salsaretta (FR) 8 11 5 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mrs S. Ricci

4 Cabaret Queen 9 11 2 W. P. Mullins Ireland Syndicates.Racing

5 Chilli Filli 8 11 2 Henry Daly StrachanLewisGabbGrahamSalwey&Griffith Richard Johnson

6 Cut The Mustard (FR) 9 11 2 Paul Nicholls The Unlikely Lads Harry Cobden

7 Magic of Light (IRE) p 10 11 2 Mrs J. Harrington Ireland Ann & Alan Potts Limited Robbie Power

8 Moyhenna (IRE) 9 11 2 Denis G. Hogan Ireland Mr R. V. Hennelly J. J. Slevin

9 Really Super p 7 11 2 Amy Murphy White Diamond Racing Partnership 1 Jack Quinlan

10 Shattered Love (IRE) ts, p 10 11 2 Mrs Denise Foster Ireland Gigginstown House Stud Jack Kennedy

11 Zambella (FR) 6 11 2 Nigel Twiston-Davies Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Daryl Jacob

4:50pm Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f 56y

1 Floueur (FR) 6 11 10 Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland Mr Claudio Michael Grech Paul O'Brien

2 Eglantine du Seuil (FR) ts 7 11 10 Paul Nicholls The Unlikely Lads Bryan Carver

3 Leoncavallo (IRE) bl,ts 9 11 9 David Pipe ValueRacingClub.co.uk Fergus Gillard

4 Dallas des Pictons (FR) bl 8 11 9 Mrs Denise Foster Ireland Gigginstown House Stud Fergus Gregory

5 Galopin des Champs (FR) 5 11 9 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mrs Audrey Turley

6 Amour de Nuit (IRE) 9 11 8 Paul Nicholls Mr Andrew Williams Angus Cheleda

7 Gabynako (FR) 6 11 8 Gavin Cromwell Ireland Mick & Molly Syndicate Conor McNamara

8 And The New (IRE) 10 11 7 Johnny Farrelly Mr Peter Randall Mitchell Bastyan

9 Mill Green 9 11 7 Nicky Henderson Mrs Rita Brown Joe Anderson

10 Pileon (IRE) bl 7 11 7 Philip Hobbs Tim Syder & Martin St Quinton Ben Jones

11 Gentleman de Mee (FR) h 5 11 6 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr John P. McManus

12 Fire Attack (IRE) h,ts 6 11 5 Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland Gigginstown House Stud Oakley Brown

13 Commandingpresence (IRE) 6 11 4 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Mrs M. J. Wogan Hugh Morgan

14 First Lord de Cuet (FR) bl,ts 7 11 4 David Pipe Potter, Pipe and Pete Page Fuller

15 Fabulous Saga (FR) ts 9 11 4 Paul Nicholls Sullivan Bloodstock Limited Millie Wonnacott

16 Whatsupwithyou (IRE) 7 11 3 Ben Pauling Co-Foundations Ltd Luca Morgan

17 Clondaw Cian (IRE) p 11 11 3 Sophie Leech Mr G. Thompson Sean Houlihan

18 Frontal Assault (IRE) p 6 11 3 Mrs Denise Foster Ireland Gigginstown House Stud Jordan Gainford

19 Dream Berry (FR) ts 10 11 2 Jonjo O'Neill Mr John P. McManus Kevin Brogan

20 Dolciano Dici (FR) ts, p 8 11 2 Brian Barr Miss Daisy Hitchins Patrick Cowley

21 Adjali (GER) 6 11 2 Nicky Henderson Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Ben Ffrench Davis

22 Langer Dan (IRE) 5 11 2 (5lb ex) Dan Skelton Mr Colm Donlon Lorcan Williams

23 Golden Taipan (IRE) ts 7 11 0 Fergal O'Brien Double Barrels Of Courage Connor Brace

24 Martinhal (IRE) ts 6 11 0 David Pipe Mrs Lynne Maclennan Danny McMenamin

R25 Folcano (FR) 6 10 13 Mrs Denise Foster Ireland Noel Moran/Mrs Valerie Moran

R26 Nightboattoclyro 7 10 12 Samuel Drinkwater Glastonburys & On The Gallops 1 Richard Patrick

Eliminated horses: Back On The Lash, Diese des Bieffes (FR), Son of Camas (FR), Didtheyleaveuoutto (IRE), Topofthecotswolds (IRE), Goa Lil (FR), Funky Dady (FR), Encore Champs (IRE), Night Edition (FR), My Way (FR), Vive Le Roi (IRE), Bua Boy (IRE), Lord Accord (IRE), Vorashann (FR), Sandymount Rose (IRE), Repetitio (IRE), Deniliquin (IRE), Pyramid Place (IRE)