Former Punchestown Gold Cup champion Boston Bob is being primed for cross-country races over the winter.
The 11-year-old, who also counts the Grade 1 Melling Chase at Aintree among his victories in 2014, will sport the colours of champion amateur Patrick Mullins this year and plans are being made for his schedule over the winter months.
Mullins jnr has identified the cross-country races at Cheltenham and Punchestown as ideal for him.
He said: “He can’t go hunter chasing because he won a race last year but we plan on going the banks route with him this season.
“He has a mark of 151 over fences and that limits his options slightly. I find the cross-country racing provides a good avenue for some of these older horses who are rated so highly.
“He’s a high-class horse who has won four Grade 1s and I think he’ll provide us with a lot of fun. He has schooled well over the banks at home and seems to have taken to it nicely.”
