Boston Bob, in the lead when falling at the last in the 2013 RSA Chase, may be back at Cheltenham next March, but over hurdles.
Many good judges reckoned that the eight-year-old would have won the RSA Chase had he stayed up, and it may well have been that his confidence was affected when he also came to grief next time at the Punchestown Festival.
That was in April, and he has been absent since, suffering a setback that has delayed his return to the track.
A Grade One winner both over hurdles and fences, he may be now be campaigned over the smaller obstacles for the time being, with a long-range target perhaps being the World Hurdle in which he would come up against the likes of Big Buck’s and At Fishers Cross.
Owner Graham Wylie is keen to put him back over timber, although he may not appear in the immediate future according to trainer Willie Mullins.
“He’s had a setback and I’m hoping he’ll be ready by Christmas,” he said.
“He might go for a long distance hurdle and we could aim him at the World Hurdle in March. Graham Wylie and I are both quite keen on the idea.
“He’s had muscle problems and it’s easier for him than jumping fences.
He did a full piece on the gallops this morning and is coming along well.”
With At Fishers Cross beaten at Newbury last weekend, and Big Buck’s himself only due to return from being sidelined, there may be no better time for another staying star to step into the limelight.
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