On paper, this looked like one of the most open editions of the famous race in years, with a nice mix of British- and Irish-based runners towards the head of the betting. Defending champion, Al Boum Photo, topped the market for Willie Mullins, with Irish Gold Cup 1st and 2nd, Delta Work and Kemboy, the other Irish runners available at a single-figure price. Leading the charge for the home team were Nicky Henderson’s Cotswold Chase winner, Santini, and two-time King George champ, Clan Des Obeaux, from the yard of Paul Nicholls.
Result
- 1st – Al Boum Photo 100/30f, Jockey: Paul Townend, Trainer: Willie Mullins
- 2nd – Santini 5/1, Jockey: Nico de Boinville, Trainer: Nicky Henderson
- 3rd – Lostintranslation 10/1, Jockey: Robbie Power, Trainer: Colin Tizzard
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £351,687.50
- 2nd – £132,500
- 3rd – £66,312.50
- 4th – £33,125
- 5th – £16,625
- 6th – £8,312.50
- 7th – £4,125
- 8th – £2,125
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £3.70
- Tote Places – 1st – £1.80, 2nd – £2.10, 3rd – £2.90
- Exacta – £19.40
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £18.93
- Trifecta – £224.30
- Tricast – £150.97
Recap
Having looked tight on paper, this race certainly delivered, producing one of the most thrilling finishes of the meeting. In the end, the result was the same as in 2019, but this was much, much, closer.
The British duo of Bristol De Mai and Elegant Escape cut out much of the running between them, but the shape of the race began to change markedly as Al Boum Photo injected some pace into proceedings four from home. Lostintranslation, Monalee, Real Steal and Santini soon joined the battle, and all looked in with a chance at the last.
However, it was Al Boum Photo who had kicked first, and that proved the decisive factor, as the mount of Paul Townend held on by a rapidly diminishing neck from the surging Santini. With this win, the Mullins runner became the eighth multiple-winner of the race and the first since Best Mate in 2004.
Runners
- 1. Al Boum Photo – SP: 100/30f, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Paul Townend
- 2. Bristol De Mai – SP: 18/1, Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies, Jockey: Daryl Jacob
- 3. Chris’s Dream – SP: 20/1, Trainer: Henry De Bromhead, Jockey: Aidan Coleman
- 4. Clan Des Obeaux – SP: 7/1, Trainer: Paul Nicholls, Jockey: Harry Cobden
- 5. Delta Work – SP: 5/1, Trainer: Gordon Elliott, Jockey: Mark Walsh
- 6. Elegant Escape – SP: 66/1, Trainer: Colin Tizzard, Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
- 7. Kemboy – SP: 8/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Mr P W Mullins
- 8. Lostintranslation – SP: 10/1, Trainer: Colin Tizzard, Jockey: Robbie Power
- 9. Monalee – SP: 20/1, Trainer: Henry De Bromhead, Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
- 10. Presenting Percy – SP: 10/1, Trainer: Patrick G Kelly, Jockey: Davy Russell
- 11. Real Steal – SP: 50/1, Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Brian Hughes
- 12. Santini – SP: 5/1, Trainer: Nicky Henderson, Jockey: Nico de Boinville
Non Runners
All Ran