Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup (Grade 1)

Off time: 17:55 | Winning time: 6m 23.60s

Al Boum Photo⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 170| BF

6/4

Top-class chaser. Creditable 5½ lengths third of 12 to Minella Indo in Cheltenham Gold Cup (9/4) at Cheltenham (26.3f, good to soft) 40 days ago. Genuine, good jumper and very much the one to beat.

Form: 1/211-13

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Clan Des Obeaux^p²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 170| D

10/3

Impressive winner of the King George in 2018 and 2019. Headgear on for 1st time, career best when winning Bowl Chase at Aintree (25f, good to soft, 5/2) 20 days ago by 26 lengths. Big run expected.

Form: 18-2321

Easy Game²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 158

28/1

Very smart chaser. Didn't need to improve to win 6-runner Devenish Chase (11/8) at Fairyhouse (20f, good to soft) 23 days ago by ¾ length from Castlegrace Paddy, driven out. Plenty to find on form.

Form: 1127U1

Fakir D'Oudairies¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 164

11/2

Top-class chaser. Career best when winning 7-runner Melling Chase at Aintree (19.9f, good to soft, 2/1) 19 days ago by 11 lengths from Nuts Well, readily. Still has stamina to prove at this trip.

Form: 2-2P221

Kemboy⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 167| CD

4/1

Gained fourth Group 1 success in Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February. Well held in Cheltenham Gold Cup (26.3f, good to soft) 40 days ago but this test more suitable (won this in 2019).

Form: 27-2219

Melon^p⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 165

12/1

Top-class chaser. Ran a cracker when 2 lengths third in Savills Chase at Leopardstown but disappointed next 2 starts, pulled up in Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham (20.6f, good to soft) 41 days ago.

Form: 42-335P

Non-Runners

Minella Indo⁴⁰

Weight: 11-12| Age: 8

T: H De Bromhead J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Al Boum Photo (6/4), Minella Indo (6/4), Clan Des Obeaux (10/3), Kemboy (4/1), Fakir D'Oudairies (11/2), Melon (12/1), Easy Game (28/1)

AL BOUM PHOTO lost little in defeat when bidding for a hat-trick of Cheltenham Gold Cup wins and is the one to beat. Kemboy once again failed to give his running at Cheltenham but he got the better of the selection in this 2 years ago and looked as good as ever when winning the Irish Gold Cup. Clan des Obeaux responded well to cheekpieces when bolting up at Aintree so is another big player.