AS expected, Al Boum Photo made a victorious return in the Grade 3 Savills New Year’s Day Chase which saw the reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup champion limber up for a defence of his staying chasing crown with a performance that was assured and polished to the delight of the bumper crowd who turned out to see the star chaser.

In a race that had acted as the springboard to Gold Cup glory for the Marie Donnelly-owned gelding 12 months ago, Al Boum Photo faced just three rivals.