Only for the Mullins family this week, with some help from Rodger Sweeney, Ireland would have been sunk without trace.

LEADING Irish hope Boston Bob was yesterday cut for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle - but trainer Willie Mullins remained tight-lipped about which race he would contest at Cheltenham next week.

NEXT month a number of really talented horses will arrive at Cheltenham with no more than an outside chance of winning.

BOSTON Bob and Zaidpour provided Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh with a big-race double at Navan yesterday, where the three scheduled chases were belatedly cancelled due to patches of frozen ground.

Colm Murphy’s two big guns, Big Zeb and Voler La Vedette, saw the Co Wexford trainer steal the show at Navan.

BOB BRADLEY believes his United States side are entering a crucial period in their preparations for next summer’s World Cup.

Comedy legend Bob Hope's collections and honours are to be auctioned off in Los Angeles next month.

BOB GELDOF called on world leaders meeting at the G8 summit in Japan to honour their promise to the poor.

BOB GELDOF last night said the upcoming Lisbon treaty referendum was “an amazing democratic responsibility” for Ireland as no other EU country was being allowed to vote on it.

BOB GELDOF pulled no punches yesterday when describing the G8’s deal on Africa.