Stayers' champion Flooring Porter only "50-50" for Cheltenham after setback

18 January 2023 , 18:30

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Flooring Porter: the two-time winner of the Stayers' Hurdle is rated 50-50 to defend his crown (Image: Getty Images)

Flooring Porter’s bid for a third Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle crown is in the balance after it emerged he had met with a training setback.

Trainer Gavin Cromwell disclosed the injury as small without divulging what it was, but put his chances of making the Cheltenham Festival at only 50-50 because he would miss some important pieces of work.

Cromwell said: “I suppose we’re hanging in the balance there with Cheltenham. Hopefully we won’t be set back too long, but he’s likely to miss another two or three weeks.

“It’s far from ideal. I’d say it’s probably 50-50 he’ll make Cheltenham.”

Flooring Porter won the Stayers’ Hurdle in 2021 and 2022, with jockey Danny Mullins making all the running to defeat Sire Du Berlais and Thyme Hill 12 months ago.

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He has run twice this season finishing fourth both times in the Limullen and Christmas Hurdle when both race were won by Home By The Lee.

Flooring Poster was as low as 5-1 to emulate Inglis Drever by winning the three mile prize a third time.The Joseph O’Brien-trained Home By The Lee has been cut to 7-2 favourite by William Hill.

Jon Lees