MAGNERS CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP (GRADE 1)

AN apparently unending odyssey for Willie Mullins finally came to an end as the Paul Townend-ridden Al Boum Photo credited the trainer with the prize that has proved so elusive over the best part of a quarter of a century.

All the way back in 1999 the Mullins-trained Florida Pearl had to settle for third when he was returned the 5/2 favourite for the Gold Cup. In the intervening period there followed a sextet of runner-up finishes, but an interminable wait came to an end as Al Boum Photo, who warmed up for the great race with a comeback win at Tramore on New Year’s Day, answered every question asked of him and more.

Beforehand this was a Gold Cup that contained more plots than a Robert Ludlum novel and foremost among them was the unceasing quest for chasing’s holy grail by Mullins. This year the trainer fielded four runners and he could have been forgiven for thinking that he might have to wait for yet another year after the first circuit claimed three of his representatives.

However, there was a certain assurance about the manner in which Al Boum Photo picked his way through this daunting assignment. Just 11 months ago Al Boum Photo and Townend were involved in that bizarre incident at that Punchestown Festival when the horse had a Grade 1 at his mercy only to be taken out of the race as the last fence loomed.

To suggest that this was redemption would be trite as the very next day at Punchestown Townend bounced back with a treble and that incident had been unquestionably consigned to the dim and distant past by the time the runners lined up in the Gold Cup.

Rather, this race marked the pinnacle of the long standing association between Mullins and Townend with the rider quick to point out afterwards how Ireland’s champion trainer has supported him since his days as an apprentice jockey.

GREAT SPECTACLE

In terms of the race itself, it was as ever a great spectacle and truly there is nothing quite like the white hot surrounds of the Gold Cup. For a long period Might Bite and Native River duelled up front – just as they did 12 months ago – and there was no shortage of ragged jumping in behind. One horse who always seemed to be travelling within himself was Al Boum Photo (12/1) and Townend had him in a terrific position at all stages.

In behind, Davy Russell went down the inner on Presenting Percy and last year’s RSA Chase hero threatened to get involved on the approach to the straight but just couldn’t match a number of his rivals on his first chasing start for a year. Another Irish hope, Shattered Love, also looked as though she might get involved at one stage but she too finished out of the placings.

Instead it was Tony Martin’s Anibale Fly who came through to make it an Irish-trained one-two, but the day belonged to the assured Al Boum Photo who settled into a lovely rhythm, and there was a certain inevitability about the outcome as the leaders neared the straight. Bristol De Mai threatened, but when they straightened up Al Boum Photo had all the answers.

He powered through a gap between horses to take over in front before two out and a slightly untidy jump there made no difference.

He opened up a good lead over his toiling rivals, cleared the last in good style and bounded up the famous Gold Cup run in to defeat his staying on compatriot by two and a half lengths.

Bristol De Mai was third with Native River in fourth. The latter deserves special mention as he produced the sort of display that any defending champion could be extremely proud of.

It just wasn’t to be for Presenting Percy this time as he came home in eighth, with Shattered Love a place behind as nine of the initial 16 runners completed.

“I’d sort of resigned myself to not winning a Gold Cup but racing has been very good to me and if I didn’t win a Gold Cup so be it, I’ve had a terrific life in racing,” said a typically philosophical Mullins. “If it wasn’t to be it wasn’t to be but thank god for Al Boum Photo and for him to win a Gold Cup with Paul on board is the perfect result in many ways.

“Three of my four went on the first circuit but every time I looked for Paul he just seemed so composed. It’s wonderful for Paul after what happened at Punchestown although he put it to bed the next day.”

Townend was understandably thrilled to have scaled chasing’s pinnacle: “I just can’t thank the owners and Willie for sticking by me. As I’ve said earlier this week it’s a privilege to be riding for him. In terms of the race I got into a beautiful rhythm and I got into a lovely position going down the back for the first time. Coming here we felt that stamina was his forte and he showed that today from the turn in. I still can’t believe it though. I’m tingling.”