Tag Archive for: Flooring Porter

Flooring Porter injury blow for Gavin Cromwell

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Gavin Cromwell has been dealt a huge blow with his Grand National hope Flooring Porter being ruled out for the season.

Only days ago Cromwell was plotting a route to Aintree for his dual Stayers’ Hurdle winner, who last time out put up a scintillating display in the Kerry National.

Despite being put up a stone by the handicapper, that performance had Cromwell dreaming of Aintree glory, but plans are now on hold.

Speaking in his William Hill blog, Cromwell said: “Unfortunately, it looks as though Flooring Porter will be out for the season. He’s picked up an injury and his return date suggests he’ll most likely miss the rest of this campaign.

“The timing of it means it’s unlikely he will be able to make it back for the big meetings in the spring, so it’s in the best interest of the horse to give him all the time he needs to recover.

“He’s been a real star for us so far so it’s really unfortunate that we won’t be able to see him again this term. He’s given connections some amazing days up until now and hopefully there will be many more of those to come.”

Cromwell, like many of his contemporaries, would like to see some rain before taking the wraps off two of his other stable stars, Limerick Lace and Inothewayurthinkin.

Limerick Lace on the way to victory at Cheltenham
Limerick Lace on the way to victory at Cheltenham (Steven Paston/PA)

Both won at the Cheltenham Festival and are entered in the John Durkan at Punchestown on November 24.

“She’s trained well since she came back, but she definitely wants some rain, which we haven’t really had yet this season,” Cromwell said of Limerick Lace.

“Her main target will be the John Durkan at Punchestown later this month, but she also holds an entry in the Betfair Chase at Haydock, although connections already have Corbetts Cross entered there. We have her in both just in case, we’ll see how things unfold and where the rain falls.

“The Mares’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival will be her main target for the season, then with all being well she could potentially go to the Grand National again.”

Inothewayurthinkin stepped up to Grade One level at Aintree
Inothewayurthinkin stepped up to Grade One level at Aintree (David Davies/PA)

He went on: “Another we have entered in the John Durkan is Inothewayurthinkin, and he’s also another that will need a bit of rain before he gets a run. He’s likely to go to the John Durkan as he’s now ineligible for the Drinmore at Fairyhouse in early December due to having won a Grade One last term.

“His end goals will all depend on how the season unfolds. His name has been thrown into the ring for the Gold Cup, but it’s a big step up to go from your novice year to being up against the big boys. The John Durkan will likely be his first step and we’ll have a fair idea of what his level is after that. His jumping will need to sharpen up, so we’ll see how that progresses.

Cromwell open to Navan or Cheltenham next for Flooring Porter

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Gavin Cromwell is considering the Lismullen Hurdle next weekend for Flooring Porter as he builds towards the Randox Grand National.

While far from guaranteed to take up the option at Navan – he could wait for the Cleeve Hurdle in January – Cromwell has made no secret of the fact he wants to end up at Aintree in April.

His task there has been made more difficult by the handicapper, who took a dim view of the way he won the Kerry National, but with two Stayers’ Hurdles also on his CV, he is already one of the stalwarts of the National Hunt game.

“Flooring Porter could run in the Lismullen, he’s not a certain runner. He was very good in the Kerry National and Keith (Donoghue) was very good on him, but he went up a stone for it,” said Cromwell speaking at the launch of the Navan Racing Festival.

“He’s not certain and if he doesn’t run we could wait and go to Cheltenham for the Cleeve. Potentially he could run in the Stayers’ again or he might just go straight to the National.

“He’s high in the handicap now, but he’s been a fantastic servant. He wouldn’t be a married man’s ride, he takes a bit of managing.

“He’s not that big so I wouldn’t say he’s a proper winter chaser, but he is very high in the handicap now.”

Looking ahead to the Bar One Racing Troytown Chase on Sunday week, Cromwell expects to have a couple of runners.

He said: “Perceval Legallois has threatened so many times, he’s fallen when looking like winning at Leopardstown last season, but he’s off a mark now that he might not be as well handicapped as people think he is as the handicapper has pushed him up. We’re just hoping there’s a big one in him. He should run as long as there’s no jar in the ground.

“Yeah Man should run, the ground will be fine for him, Hartur d’Arc is in the Paddy Power at Cheltenham and could potentially go there. Ask Anything could probably do with so more juice in the ground.”

Grand National could be ultimate aim for Flooring Porter

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The Cleeve Hurdle and the Grand National are among the options under consideration for Flooring Porter following his brilliant display in the Kerry National.

Gavin Cromwell’s dual Stayers’ Hurdle hero secured his biggest victory over fences to date in last week’s Listowel feature, galloping his rivals into submission from the front.

With a tilt at the world’s most famous steeplechase at Aintree in April under serious consideration, Cromwell could look to campaign his stable star back over the smaller obstacles in the meantime, with the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham in January identified as a possible target.

Flooring Porter with connections after winning the Kerry National at Listowel
Flooring Porter with connections after winning the Kerry National at Listowel (Gary Carson/PA)

Where and when Flooring Porter will run before the new year is up in the air, with his trainer keen to assess all opportunities before finalising plans.

“He’s come out of it good, obviously it was great to see him the way he did and it’s a lovely race to win. It’s all right making these plans, but trying to execute them is never simple,” said Cromwell.

“We’ll look at the Cleeve Hurdle and possibly the Grand National after that. I haven’t done any more thinking about it or made any more plans, so that’s where we are at the moment.

“It’s a long time from now until the Cleeve Hurdle and if we could find a race for him between now and then, that would be great. We’ll scour the calendar in Ireland and England see what we can come up with.

“He’s gone up a stone for winning the other day, which takes him to 163. He’s going to have a lot of weight in the National already, so it’s a difficult one as do you jeopardise going up even further by running well in a big race somewhere?

“We’re in bonus territory at this stage and we’ve been in it for a while!”

Porter floors Listowel rivals in Kerry National domination

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Dual Stayers’ Hurdle hero Flooring Porter galloped his rivals into submission to secure a runaway victory in the Guinness Kerry National at Listowel.

A Cheltenham Festival winner in 2021 and 2022, Gavin Cromwell’s stable star belatedly switched to fences last season before reverting back to the smaller obstacles and finishing second in his bid for a Stayers’ Hurdle hat-trick at Prestbury Park in March.

The nine-year-old was well beaten on his return from a break in a handicap chase at Killarney in July, but roared right back to his brilliant best in County Kerry in the hands of Keith Donoghue.

Sent straight to the lead from the off, Flooring Porter jumped fluently in the main and had already built up a healthy lead over the chasing pack when his nearest pursuer, Patrick Neville’s British raider The Real Whacker, unseated Sam Twiston-Davies racing down the back straight.

From there on the result never really looked in any doubt, with Donoghue still sitting pretty in front rounding the home turn and while Horantzau D’airy made some late headway, 6-1 shot Flooring Porter was well on top as he passed the post with four and a quarter lengths in hand.

“What do you say, it’s brilliant. He went hard and I have to say I was praying for him across every fence on the last circuit,” said Cromwell.

“He just kept the revs up and it was a brilliant performance.”

When asked if he thought his charge, might stop in front, he added: “No, that wasn’t a worry, I was just afraid that he might just miss one or something.

“He was in serious shape. When he gets into that rhythm there is no stopping him, he’ll just keep it going.

“Keith said he was just a passenger, he couldn’t go any slower! What do you do, just try to meet the jumps the best you can.

“This has been the plan since Cheltenham basically. We can always go back over hurdles as well but I don’t know where we go next. It’s a brilliant race to win and we’ll enjoy this.

“He’s been a horse of a lifetime, for me and for the syndicate.”

Porter and Perceval on Kerry National duty for Cromwell

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Flooring Porter and Perceval Legallois give trainer Gavin Cromwell a strong hand in the Guinness Kerry National at Listowel on Wednesday.

The popular Flooring Porter made a successful start to his career over fences at Cheltenham last October before reverting to the smaller obstacles and finishing second in his bid for a third win in the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Festival in March.

He was well beaten on his return to chasing at Killarney in July, but Cromwell is expecting him to make his presence felt in Wednesday’s €200,000 feature.

“Flooring Porter seems in great form. We’re happy with him and the ground should be ideal,” he said.

“Going left-handed is a big plus for him. We’ve trained him for this race for a long while, so we’re looking forward to it and hopefully he’s going to run well.”

Perceval Legallois must also be considered a major player, despite finishing only eighth as a 7-2 favourite in the Galway Plate on his most recent outing.

Cromwell added: “Perceval Legallois didn’t get the clearest of passages in the Galway Plate after missing the start and going a bit wide. He missed a couple of fences at the wrong time but ran well on the whole.

“With a clear run, hopefully he has a good chance. The ground should be fine. The more rain that comes, the better for him, but it should be OK.”

Flooring Porter fails to sparkle in Killarney chase

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Flooring Porter could not land a blow when returning to action over fences in the BoyleSports Handicap Chase at Killarney.

Gavin Cromwell’s gelding has twice been the winner of the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and has dabbled over the larger obstacles before.

After winning on his chasing debut last season, the nine-year-old collected some placed prize money in graded events, but he was switched back to hurdling at the beginning of the year to finish second in the Stayers’ Hurdle and fifth in the Liverpool Hurdle.

At Killarney he made his first handicap start over fences, running over two miles and a furlong under a near top weight of 11st 11lb.

He was at the rear throughout and did not progress far from that spot to finish fifth as John Ryan’s Gaelic Arc, a 12-1 shot under just 10st, sauntered to an easy eight-length win when ridden by Sean O’Keeffe.

“Danny Mullins couldn’t do the weight and Sean O’Keeffe, who comes in a day a week to me, really wanted to ride him,” said Ryan of the winner.

“He had previously run too free here in May, but Sean let him go today and he is a proper two-mile chaser who loves good ground.

“He is brilliant over two miles and I think two miles and two furlongs in Galway would be too far for him. He is a very good horse on his day.”

Jack Kennedy made a winning return to action when landing the Europe Hotel & Resort Mares Maiden Hurdle aboard Gordon Elliott’s 11-4 favourite Wudya.

The rider was crowned champion Irish jump jockey at Punchestown at the end of last season, but had not ridden since after accumulated suspensions took effect over the start of summer.

He returned to the saddle at Killarney for a single ride and immediately got off the mark, prevailing by an emphatic eight lengths aboard his mount.

“I having been coming and going, I was away in America for a while and had been tipping away in the gym, trying to keep ticking over,” he said.

“My foot was a bit battered and bruised in Punchestown but I was OK after two weeks and then obviously had the suspensions. It wasn’t ideal but it was nice to get a break without having a broken leg or injury.

“Last year I had a clean run at it until the week before Punchestown, so hopefully I can keep it going. Today was brilliant and it was nice to get this first one here.”

Flooring Porter returns to fences for Killarney spin

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Dual Stayers’ Hurdle hero Flooring Porter heads to Killarney on Friday in preparation for a planned tilt at the Kerry National.

Gavin Cromwell’s charge made a successful start to a belated career over fences at Cheltenham last October, before switching back to the smaller obstacles to finish second in his bid for a third Stayers’ Hurdle at the Festival in March.

Having had a break since finishing fifth at Aintree the following month, the nine-year-old will revert to fences in the BoyleSports Handicap Chase – and while the two-mile-one-furlong distance is short of his optimum trip, Cromwell hopes it will tee him up for a tilt at Listowel’s September showpiece.

“He’s had a good enough break, the plan is to go to the Kerry National in September at Listowel and I just wanted to get a run into him before that,” said the trainer.

“Two miles one is obviously too short for him, but I was anxious to go left-handed and the other option was to go to Galway and that’s obviously right-handed, which wouldn’t be ideal.

“He looks great and we’re happy with him and this looks a good starting point.”

Flooring Porter is set to face six rivals in County Kerry, with Henry de Bromhead’s high-class chaser Dancing On My Own and the John McConnell-trained Dreal Deal among them.

Flooring Porter aiming to make it third time lucky at Aintree

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Flooring Porter will attempt to finally get his hands on the Jrl Group Liverpool Hurdle following his brave second in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The dual Prestbury Park champion had been plying his trade over fences prior to reverting to timber at the Festival, where he showed plenty of his old zest to chase home Teahupoo in the day three feature.

He will now continue to operate over the smaller obstacles, with trainer Gavin Cromwell pointing the nine-year-old towards Aintree next month and the three-mile Grade One in which he has finished second and third to Gordon Elliott’s Sire Du Berlais.

Flooring Porter (right) has lost out to Sire Du Berlais (left) twice at Aintree
Flooring Porter (right) has lost out to Sire Du Berlais (left) twice at Aintree (Mike Egerton/PA)

“He’s come out of Cheltenham really well and the plan is to go back to Aintree, we’re really happy with him and looking forward to it,” said Cromwell.

“He was good over fences, but is probably better over hurdles, they certainly lit him up again.

“He acts round Aintree and we’re looking forward to it. A similar performance at Aintree should put him very much in the mix.”

Meanwhile, it appears handicaps are off the agenda for highly impressive Kim Muir winner Inothewayurthinkin, who received a significant rise for his easy eight-length Cheltenham Festival success.

Owned by JP McManus, the exciting six-year-old will be forced into trying his hand in graded company if he runs again this season, with top-table targets both at home and in England possible options.

“He’s a nice horse to have going forward, he’s a young horse with hopefully a bright future,” continued Cromwell.

“He’s gone up considerably in the handicap so we will probably just have to look at the graded novice route (if he is to run again). The obvious options are Aintree or Punchestown and there is a race at Limerick as well. He’s not certain to run again before the end of the season, but if he does he will probably go for one of them.

“Hopefully the handicapper is right, and if so, he will be an exciting horse to have.”

Stayers’ Hurdle draws high-class field of 13

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Dual winner Flooring Porter, Grand National hero Noble Yeats and previous Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle victors Paisley Park and Sire Du Berlais are all set to line up in this year’s race.

Fergal O’Brien’s Long Walk winner Crambo, the Gordon Elliott-trained Teahupoo and the enigmatic duo of Asterion Forlonge and Champ have also been declared for what appears a fascinating renewal of the three-mile contest.

A total of 13 have been declared, with Willie Mullins’ Sir Gerhard another big player along with Dashel Drasher and Home By The Lee.

Janadil and Buddy One have also been declared.

Last year’s winner Envoi Allen leads 11 in the Ryanair Chase for Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore.

The Cheveley Park Stud-owned 10-year-old has not run since November but has a habit of reserving his best for the Festival.

Paul Nicholls’ Stage Star needs to bounce back from a poor run on New Year’s Day but previously won the Paddy Power Chase under top weight. Stablemate Hitman also runs.

Dan Skelton’s Protektorat drops back in trip having had a crack at the Gold Cup for the last two years, Elliott runs Conflated and Fil Dor while Willie Mullins is represented by Capodanno.

The one horse who will not be suited by Tuesday’s rain is Joseph O’Brien’s Banbridge, who was a non-runner at the Festival last year when the ground went soft.

Ahoy Senor, Fugitif and the supplemented Ga Law make up the field.

The third Grade One on the card is the Turners Novices’ Chase in which an open field of 11 has been declared.

Ginny’s Destiny is gaining a reputation as a course specialist while Grey Dawning, Iroko and Gary Moore’s Le Patron all feature in a strong home team.

Facile Vega will be looking to redeem his reputation for Mullins who also runs Sharjah.

Elliott’s Brighterdaysahead carries plenty of stable confidence in the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle where she will face the promising Jade De Grugy and Dysart Enos.

A full field of 24 will go to post in the Pertemps Network Final in which Farouk D’Alene is top weight.

There are 21 in the Trustatrader Plate, in which Jonjo O’Neill’s Crebilly is well fancied while Angels Dawn will bid for back-to-back wins in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase

Cromwell tempted to give Porter another crack at Stayers’ Hurdle

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Gavin Cromwell is leaning towards the Stayers’ Hurdle with two-time former champion Flooring Porter.

The nine-year-old won the contest in both 2021 and 2022 before finishing fourth behind Sire Du Berlais last season.

He began his steeple chasing career this term, beating Broadway Boy on debut at Cheltenham and then finishing third in both the Florida Pearl and the Neville Hotels Novice Chase.

Flooring Porter
Flooring Porter won the first of two Stayers’ Hurdles in 2021 (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

It has not been guaranteed that he will stick with the discipline at the Cheltenham Festival, however, and with the withdrawal of Constitution Hill from the Champion Hurdle picture there has been a ripple effect on other races.

Gordon Elliott’s Irish Point now looks likely to start in the Champion Hurdle and in his absence Cromwell is minded to bid for another Stayers’ Hurdle with Flooring Porter.

Speaking on a stable tour for Attheraces.com, the trainer said: “We are leaning towards the Stayers’ Hurdle. That isn’t 100 per cent confirmed, but with Irish Point looking likely to go for the Champion Hurdle, that might just seal it.

“We had a really tough preparation for Cheltenham with him last year as he missed a month after Christmas, but he still ran really well. We’ve had a much better preparation with him this year.

Flooring Porter winning the Stayers' Hurdle in 2022
Flooring Porter winning the Stayers’ Hurdle in 2022 (Steven Paston/PA)

“It’s a very competitive race, but if he brought his best form to the table, he’d be entitled to be in the mix with the best of them.”

Perceval Legallois is the second favourite for the Kim Muir at present. but will not line up for the race as Cromwell feels the mark of 144 he has been allocated is prohibitive.

He said: “We’ve decided not to run him at the Cheltenham Festival. The British handicapper was very tough on him, so we’ll stay at home with him.”

My Mate Mozzie holds entries for both the Grand Annual and the Arkle and is most probably going to run in the latter race, especially considering Marine Nationale has been ruled out of the contest.

My Mate Mozzie winning the squareintheair.com Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham
My Mate Mozzie winning the squareintheair.com Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham (Tim Goode/PA)

“He’s more than likely going to run in the Arkle,” said Cromwell.

“He’s going to have to run a career-best to win it, but he shaped really well right on the tail of the current favourite Found A Fifty at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting and that form has worked out well since.

“Maybe the winner was idling, but we got further back than was planned and finished off very well, so we have reasons to rate him better than the bare form too.

“Marine Nationale coming out can only help him too. The better the ground, the better his chance.”

Cromwell to make late call on Flooring Porter’s Festival target

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Gavin Cromwell will make a late decision over whether Flooring Porter bids for a third Stayers’ Hurdle crown or lines up in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham.

He took to fences well in October when beating the smart Broadway Boy but connections’ fears about going right-handed were realised next time out in the Florida Pearl at Punchestown, although he was also hampered by a loose horse as he came home third.

Most recently at Leopardstown over Christmas, he finished third behind the currently sidelined Grangeclare West, prompting Cromwell to consider running him over further at Cheltenham in March, but he has not ruled out trying to regain the Stayers’ crown he won in 2021 and 2022.

“Flooring Porter is in the Stayers’ and the National Hunt Chase. Nothing is definite and we’ll just see how both races are unfolding nearer the time, I definitely wouldn’t rule the Stayers’ out,” said Cromwell.

“I suppose if you take Gordon’s (Elliott’s, Irish Point and Teahupoo) out, the Stayers’ looks open enough which is why he’s still in.

“He got off to a good start over fences, you can rule the Punchestown run out going the wrong way, we may have got away with it if not for the loose horse, but he ran a good race all things considered.

“At Christmas he ran a good race but we were probably disappointed he could only finish third. He jumps well but the one thing is he knows how to win there and spring ground will be no harm.

“It wasn’t always the plan to go chasing but he hadn’t won a race since his second Stayers’, so we thought we’d give it a go.”

Cromwell has been a frequent visitor to the UK this season and is operating at a near 20 per cent strike-rate having had seven winners at Cheltenham already.

Stumptown won a valuable race on New Year's Day
Stumptown won a valuable race on New Year’s Day (Nigel French/PA)

“We started off in October, I saw a couple of races and I thought they looked good opportunities that worked out. We had three winners at the first meeting and then went back in November and kept the ball rolling,” he said.

“We’ve concentrated more on finding the right race, the best example is Stumptown on New Year’s Day, a 50 grand five-runner handicap. If that was in Ireland it would probably be a full field.

“It’s a special place, there’s nothing like a winner at the Festival, any winner there is fantastic. It’s a unique place.

“We’re mostly heading for handicaps this year. The horses are running well so hopefully we get them there in one piece.”

Regarding his likely team he said: “We thought My Mate Mozzie was an Arkle horse, he’s a good Flat horse and a good hurdler without being that top level, so it was always up for debate if he would be good enough.

My Mate Mozzie has the Arkle and Grand Annual as options
My Mate Mozzie has the Arkle and Grand Annual as options (Tim Goode/PA)

“He has a mark so the Grand Annual could come into it but the Arkle is open this year. Saying that, he’d have to run well above his mark to win any Arkle but there is only one Arkle.

“Limerick Lace and Brides Hill are both likely to run in the Mares’ Chase.

“Only By Night is in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle but I’d say she might stay at home, she was very disappointing at Lingfield and when she got home she was quiet for a week after, so we just put a line through it.”

Cromwell won the Champion Hurdle back in 2019 with the five-year-old Espoir D’Allen who sadly never ran again. While the trainer is not one for looking back, he admits the win is something to be proud of.

“The Champion Hurdle was a great race to win, it was just unfortunate it was his last race. I’m not one to dwell on the past, I have a massive picture of him and it’s the first thing I see every morning, I’m just not one for dwelling on the past, I’m always looking forwards,” said Cromwell.

“Having won it, it’s a vote of confidence for the owners and it helps them think their horse in good hands.”

Cromwell favouring National Hunt Chase goal for Flooring Porter

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Gavin Cromwell is leaning towards running his dual Stayers’ Hurdle hero Flooring Porter in the National Hunt Chase at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.

The nine-year-old dominated from the front to lift the Stayers’ crown in 2021 and 2022, but having had to make do with fourth place when bidding for the hat-trick last season, he has this term embarked on a career over fences.

He made a successful start at Cheltenham in October, but has since had his limitations exposed in Grade Two and Grade One company at Punchestown and Leopardstown respectively.

With Cromwell deciding against entering his stable star for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, he faces a straight choice between the three-mile-six-furlong National Hunt Chase or switching back to the smaller obstacles for the Stayers’ Hurdle, with the former currently his preferred option.

Gavin Cromwell celebrates after Flooring Porter's second Stayers' Hurdle win
Gavin Cromwell celebrates after Flooring Porter’s second Stayers’ Hurdle win (Steven Paston/PA)

“It (National Hunt Chase) is probably more likely anyway, but we’re keeping an open mind and seeing how things go with everyone else and what way the races are closer to the time,” he said.

“He’s very versatile, so there’s no reason why he couldn’t switch back to the Stayers’ Hurdle.”

Keith Donoghue has taken over in the saddle from Danny Mullins this season, but neither will be eligible to ride in the National Hunt Chase, which is of course confined to amateur jockeys.

Asked whether he had considered who might take the mount if Flooring Porter does line up over fences, Cromwell added: “That is obviously a bit of a dilemma, but we’ll work on that.”

Cromwell deliberating Festival options for Flooring Porter

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Flooring Porter could head straight to the Cheltenham Festival after coming up short in Grade One company over the Christmas period – but whether he will stick to fences or bid to secure a third Stayers’ Hurdle title remains uncertain.

The nine-year-old dominated from the front when claiming the Stayers’ Hurdle crown in both 2021 and 2022 and finished an honourable fourth when looking to make it a hat-trick last season.

This season Gavin Cromwell’s stable star has had his attentions switched to the larger obstacles and made an impressive start to his new career at Cheltenham in October.

Gavin Cromwell celebrates with Flooring Porter at Cheltenham
Gavin Cromwell celebrates with Flooring Porter at Cheltenham (Steven Paston/PA)

However, he was well held in third in the Grade Two Florida Pearl Novice Chase at Punchestown on his next start, and while connections were hopeful a return to a left-handed track would see him in a better light in last week’s Neville Hotels Novice Chase at Leopardstown, he again had to make do with minor honours behind the impressive Grangeclare West.

Cromwell said: “He jumped really well, no excuses. The winner was very good on the day and we were beaten fair and square.

“He jumped well and he’s probably going to struggle at that level over fences.”

The County Meath handler is not ruling out the possibility of Flooring Porter contesting one of the novice chases at the Festival, but confirmed a return to the smaller obstacles is under consideration.

“It’s hard to know where we go. I will put him in the Stayers’ Hurdle,” he added.

“We could potentially go straight to Cheltenham with him, as we did when he won the two Stayers’ Hurdles after Christmas.

“I’m not saying he will go for the Stayers’ Hurdle. We could go straight to Cheltenham, but what race we go for is very much up in the air.”

My Mate Mozzie winning over fences at Cheltenham
My Mate Mozzie winning over fences at Cheltenham (Tim Goode/PA)

Another Cromwell inmate who was placed at Grade One level at Leopardstown over the festive period was My Mate Mozzie, who filled the runner-up spot behind Found A Fifty in the Racing Post Novice Chase.

The trainer was delighted with his eight-year-old’s performance, but with hot favourite Facile Vega a huge disappointment, he does question the strength of the form.

Cromwell said: “He finished off really well, but I suppose he was ridden to do that and he may have been a bit flattered by the fact the favourite had cried enough and Sharjah hasn’t just been in form of late either, but it was nice to be second in a Grade One.

“I’m not sure where we’ll go now, I suppose the Grand Annual is a possibility at the Festival.”

Flooring Porter heading in the right direction back at Leopardstown

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Gavin Cromwell’s Flooring Porter is backed to benefit from a return to a left-handed track when he lines up for the Neville Hotels Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Friday.

The eight-year-old is twice the winner of the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and started his chasing career earlier this season.

His debut over fences was a success at Cheltenham in October, where he beat Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Broadway Boy by two and half lengths to land a novice chase over three miles and half a furlong.

His next outing came at Punchestown in the Florida Pearl, where he drifted left around the right-handed track and was eventually inconvenienced by a loose horse in finishing third.

Cromwell expects Flooring Porter to be happier back on a left-handed track and is happy to put a line through that last run.

Winning connections at Cheltenham with Flooring Porter following his chasing debut
Winning connections at Cheltenham with Flooring Porter following his chasing debut (PA)

“He’s back going left-handed, he’s very well,” the trainer said.

“The ground is going to be very testing, but he should be fine on it and I’m looking forward to it.

“It was just one of the those races (Punchestown) to put a line through and forget about going into tomorrow.”

Meanwhile Broadway Boy has done a great deal to boost the form of his and Flooring Porter’s earlier encounter, winning twice more back at Cheltenham with two impressive performances.

Cromwell said of those runs: “I was glad to see him do so well, it makes it interesting for our horse.”

A key rival at Leopardstown will be the Emmet Mullins-trained Corbetts Cross, another horse with two chasing runs under his belt this term.

Third on debut at Naas behind Grangeclare West and Heart Wood, the chestnut was then the winner of a competitive beginners’ chase at Fairyhouse when beating Three Card Brag to get off to mark over the larger obstacles.

The six-year-old now steps up in trip and grade under Mark Walsh in the silks of owner JP McManus.

Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus, said: “He’s in good form and Emmet’s happy with him.

“He’s stepping up to three miles over fences and we hope that will suit him.

“He’ll have learnt a lot from that last run and hopefully will have come forward for it, we’re looking forward to seeing him run.”

The Willie Mullins-trained Grangeclare West comes into the race in winning form having not run since the Naas contest in which he beat Corbetts Cross.

Favori De Champdou, winner of the Florida Pearl, will represent Gordon Elliott and Noel Meade runs Flanking Maneuver in the same silks of Gigginstown House Stud.

The field is completed by Tullyhogue Fort, a seven-year-old who has been busy all through the summer and into the new season.

Change in direction planned for Flooring Porter

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Flooring Porter will return to racing left-handed at Leopardstown over the Christmas period, with Gavin Cromwell retaining faith that he can repeat his top-level hurdling exploits over fences.

The dual-Stayers’ Hurdle hero made a brilliant start to his chasing career when beating subsequent Listed scorer Broadway Boy at Cheltenham in October, but could only finish third when continuing his education in Punchestown’s Florida Pearl Novice Chase.

That was the first time Flooring Porter had raced right-handed in over two years and, after interference from loose horse Churchstonewarrior saw him veer left for the majority of that contest, Cromwell is keen to quickly revert to racing the other way round.

He is now poised to run in Dublin on December 29 in the Grade One Neville Hotels Novice Chase, as his handler continues to aim high with one of his stable stars.

Cromwell said: “The loose horse messed it all up for us, but he started off in a nice position and in a nice rhythm.

“He jumped the first four fences fine and then the loose horse upset him, which kind of put told to his chances.

“I think he actually ran an OK race considering everything which happened in the race and he came home safe and sound, so we’re happy with that.

“He’s entered in the Grade One (at Christmas) and we’ll more than likely go there.

“He’ll be back going left-handed, which is a big thing, really. He’s clearly better that way and I wouldn’t be ruling it (right-handed) out again, but for the moment we’ll definitely be sticking to left-handed.”