Mullins to keep Wylie pair apart

Willie Mullins is not making an instant decision about how to split Boston Bob and Back in Focus at the Cheltenham Festival.

Both the staying novices are owned by Graham Wylie and have similar records over fences, with last year's Albert Bartlett runner-up Boston Bob only scraping home in both starts.

Back In Focus has shown more in three outings, culminating in a narrow defeat of stablemate Aupcharlie in a Leopardstown Grade One over Christmas.

Of Boston Bob, Mullins said: "Pedigree suggests a longer trip.

"Back In Focus stays all day. He has the same owner as Boston Bob and they won't go for the same race.

"Back In Focus could go for either the four-miler or the RSA. "Boston Bob is in the RSA, he could drop back to the Jewson but we will see nearer the day. We will try to pick the easiest option for both of them."

The trainer had news of several other stable stars including Quevega, who chases a fifth straight David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle.

"I'm pleased enough with her. She had a little bit of a cold this week so she had an easy week, but will get back going next week," Mullins told At The Races.

"She's very funny and lets you know the moment anything is wrong."

Mullins sympathised with connections of Darlan, who lost his life at Doncaster last Monday when in the process of becoming a real threat to Hurricane Fly in the betting for the Stan James Champion Hurdle.

He said: "It was a terrible thing what happened to Darlan. Commiserations to everyone.

"(Hurricane Fly) is in good form and I'm pleased enough with him. He just looks back to himself."