Cheltenham Festival 2021: Willie Mullins' stable tour of runners including Al Boum Photo

Willie Mullins has confirmed his intended runners for the 2021 Cheltenham Festival. His team this year is headed by Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo. The nine-year-old is one of 12 ante-post favourites in the line-up.

Willie Mullins' stable of runners for the 2021 Cheltenham Festival includes Al Boum.

Al Boum Photo is aiming to win the WellChild Gold Cup on the fourth and final day of the 2021 Cheltenham Festival. Mullins had given up on his dream two years ago but now he is on brink of an Arkle. Other leading contenders on Friday include Billaway in the hunters’ chase and Elimay in mares” chase.

Hook Up is preparing for the Mares' Novices' Hurdle. Gauloise and possibly Glens of Antrim are also targets.

Min, Allaho and Melon are the stable's three potential runners in the Ryanair Chase. Allaho is Paddy Power’s 4-1 favourite for the Grade 1 on day three. Cheveley Park Stud have A Plus Tard in Gold Cup.

Mullins is impressed with Al Boum Photo. Al is the son of Stowaway and won at Leopardstown last time.

Willie Mullins' horse Al Boum Photo is in good form. The nine-year-old was ruled out of the race at a late stage last year.

He's one of the players that the team is hoping will bring his A-game to Cheltenham.

Monkfish heads the betting for the Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase on day two of Cheltenham. Monkfish took the Albert Bartlett Novice”s Hurdle at the meeting in 2020.

Gaillard Du Mesnil is 5-2 favourite with Paddy Power for the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle. Willie Mullins' stable tour of runners includes Al Boum Photo.

Concertista is training well for the mares' hurdle at Cheltenham. She won the novice version last year. Willie Mullins changed his training methods for Concertista.

Sharjah is the shortest-priced runner in the Champion Hurdle. He was third in Irish Champion. Saldier and James Du Berlais may join Sharjah on day one.  Mullins has his own way of riding Sharja.

Energumene and Shishkin will race in the Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase. Willie Mullins bought Energuemene out of an English point-to-point.

Appreciate It is favourite for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. Willie Mullins had him down as a stayer but he has that turn of foot too. Appreciates It destroyed a pair of sheepskin gloves on Mullin on Saturday evening. Blue Lord is entered in the County Hundle this morning.

Willie Mullins will speak to connections of Kemboy and Melon to see if they will join Al Boum Photo in the feature race at the Cheltenham Festival 2021.

Al Boum Photo won the Gold Cup in 2019 and 2020. He had a warm up run at Tramore on New Year's Day. Willie Mullins is very happy with his preparation. He is going for his third Gold cup. Al Bou mr Photo is a double Gold winner.

Saint Roi will not run in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. He finished fourth in a Grade 1 Irish Champion hurdles at Leopardstown.