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.

Mille Chief has been ruled out of the JCB Triumph Hurdle having failed to show sufficient improvement from the setback which caused him to miss his intended outing at Kempton last Saturday.

Venetia Williams hopes to strike while the iron is hot with Jolly Boy after the lightly-raced six-year-old comfortably lumped a 7lb penalty to victory at Fontwell.