Tag Archive for: Flooring Porter

Flooring Porter aiming for Aintree redemption

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Flooring Porter is being prepared for a return to Aintree next month after coming up short in his bid for a Stayers’ Hurdle hat-trick at the Cheltenham Festival.

The eight-year-old was a brilliant winner at Prestbury Park in both 2021 and 2022 but endured an interrupted preparation ahead of his return due to a post-Christmas setback.

Trainer Gavin Cromwell stated in mid-January that his Cheltenham hopes were “hanging in the balance” and he was no better than “50-50” to make the trip to the Cotswolds.

Flooring Porter was ultimately deemed fit enough to defend his Stayers’ Hurdle crown, but after adopting his customary pacesetting role for much of the three-mile contest, he weakened in the home straight and had to make do with a gallant fourth.

Gavin Cromwell was pleased with Flooring Porter's performance in defeat at Cheltenham
Gavin Cromwell was pleased with Flooring Porter’s performance in defeat at Cheltenham (David Davies/PA)

Cromwell was proud of his stable star’s performance in defeat, though, and is now targeting a second tilt at Aintree’s Grade One Liverpool Hurdle on Grand National day – a race in which he finished second to this year’s surprise Stayers’ Hurdle winner Sire Du Berlais last April.

“All is good with Flooring Porter – he came out of Cheltenham fine, which is obviously the main thing,” said the trainer.

“I suppose, considering he missed a bit of work, he ran well (at Cheltenham). He was beaten three and a half lengths, hopefully he’ll come on for it and we’ll take the positives out of it.

“We’ve a bit of extra time between Cheltenham and Aintree this year, which is also a help – we’ve a week more than last year.

“Hopefully we can build on Cheltenham – we might be on an upward curve.”

While Cromwell failed to add to his tally at this Festival, Flooring Porter was one of a number of horses to perform creditably.

Stumptown was beaten just a neck after being sent off favourite for the Kim Muir, while Final Orders finished fifth in his bid for a sixth successive win in the Grand Annual.

Letsbeclearaboutit was another Cromwell inmate to shape with promise, passing the post a close-up fourth in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.

Cromwell added: “Final Orders didn’t really handle the ground and, all things considered, he ran a good enough race. We have him entered in the Topham at Aintree and that’s definitely a possibility.

“Stumptown ran a cracker and there were no excuses or hard-luck stories, he just bumped into one on the day and that’s it.

“I think we’ll probably look at the Irish Grand National with him. I know Easter comes quite soon, which is not ideal, but he has come out of Cheltenham well and it’s certainly a big possibility.

“Letsbeclearaboutit was too keen all the way in the Albert Bartlett and ran very well considering. If he had of settled, I think he would have finished closer.

“There’s two-and-a-half and three-mile novice hurdles for him in Aintree and there is also a race for him in Fairyhouse. I’m not sure where we’re going to go yet, but hopefully he’ll be running at some of the spring Festivals.”

Blazing Khal steps up for Stayers’ task after troubled prep

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Blazing Khal faces his toughest task yet at Cheltenham on Thursday when he attempts to extend his five-race winning streak in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle.

His participation in the day three feature has been a hot topic of discussion in the build up to the Festival and one that intensified once trainer Charles Byrnes revealed the seven-year-old suffered a cut during his impressive comeback victory in the Boyne Hurdle – subsequently facing a race against time to secure his place in the field.

The Ballynoe Stables handler is relieved to be in touching distance of getting Blazing Khal to the start line for his first run in Grade One company.

“It’s been well documented, his preparation, but I can’t change anything. That’s gone and we have him here and we can now just hope for the best,” said Byrnes.

“We’re pleased to get him here, we would have preferred a better preparation, but we will make the most of it and hope the horse and jockey come back safe.

“He’s beat lesser company so far and it’s a big step up to Grade One company from what he has been up against, but we will try to make the most of it.”

Blazing Khal will be ridden by Byrnes’ son Philip as the trainer bids for a second Stayers’ Hurdle victory following Solwhit 10 years ago.

Blazing Khal on the way to winning the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2021
Blazing Khal on the way to winning the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2021 (David Davies/PA)

“It’s a massive day and a massive family occasion,” continued Ballingarry-based Byrnes.

“But as far as we’re concerned, there is no pressure as he hasn’t had the ideal preparation and we’re here and hoping more than anything.

“It would be lovely to win it again, but Solwhit was an exceptional horse. He won eight Grade Ones while Blazing Khal is yet to win one. They don’t make Solwhits too often.”

Blazing Khal will have to lower the colours of Flooring Porter, who after his own struggles to make the Festival, returns to his old stomping ground looking for a third-straight victory in Thursday’s main event.

“He’s had an interrupted preparation, but we’re pretty happy with him and hopefully he can run a big race,” said trainer Gavin Cromwell.

Jockey Danny Mullins celebrates on Flooring Porter after winning the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2022
Jockey Danny Mullins celebrates on Flooring Porter after winning the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2022 (Steven Paston/PA)

“He knows how to win around the track which is a big positive. It’s not going to be an easy task, it’s a very good renewal of the race and we’re probably a little bit up against it, but he is the horse who has the form in the race.

“Everyone is very excited now and looking forward to it.”

Teahupoo was the first horse to down Honeysuckle when capturing the Hatton’s Grace earlier this season and followed up by winning Gowran’s Galmoy Hurdle to put himself firmly in the Stayers’ Hurdle mix.

“We were trying to make him a quicker horse than he is last year running over two miles, but he looks to have found his niche over longer trips,” said trainer Gordon Elliott, who also saddles 2021 runner-up Sire Du Berlais.

Teahupoo will bid to give Gordon Elliott his first win in the Stayers' Hurdle
Teahupoo will bid to give Gordon Elliott his first win in the Stayers’ Hurdle (Niall Carson/PA)

“If you’d spoken to me this time last year, I’d have said he had a squeak in the Champion Hurdle, but he was just run off his feet.

“He’s a good horse and Davy (Russell, jockey) said he’s better for knowing. He said he got there too soon the last day, as he’s so relaxed and then he grabs hold and goes.

“He’s a young horse on the way up. He was good in the Hatton’s Grace and he was equally as good in Gowran.

“He’s a fair horse. He doesn’t do anything exciting at home, but he seems to do it on the track.”

The Irish challenge is further strengthened by Joseph O’Brien’s Home By The Lee, who accounted for a useful cast in Navan’s Lismullen Hurdle before proving that was no fluke when running out a three-length winner of the Jack de Bromhead Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown.

“He goes there with a big chance. He is fit and well and his preparation has gone great,” said O’Brien.

“We are looking forward to the race. It looks a really strong Stayers’ Hurdle this year, but we are right in the mix.

“He likes being fresh, so it was always the plan to go straight from Christmas to Cheltenham.”

Ashdale Bob was runner-up to Home By The Lee in the Christmas Hurdle and is another raider from the Emerald Isle in the line up along with Willie Mullins’ former Festival hero Klassical Dream, while there is a continental flavour to the contest with two runners from France taking part.

Gabriel Leenders’ Gold Tweet caused an upset when romping to Cleeve Hurdle success on Festival Trials Day and he is joined by Hugo Merienne’s Henri Le Farceur.

“He jumps his hurdles very fast and he’s a very strong horse. He’s not big, but he’s very strong and if we follow (the pace) he’ll have a fast finish, which is perfect for an English race,” said Leenders.

“We’ve trained him for every possibility and if the race is fast or steady, it’s not a problem. The jockey will keep relaxed and it won’t be a problem, he will be ready.”

Merienne added: “Henri Le Farceur likes the distance and I think he’ll like the track. It’s a challenge but we’ll see. He’ll need to come and improve but we will try.

“We were actually thinking about whether to go to Kempton over Christmas, but the horse had a hard race at Auteuil and we gave him a few weeks off. When Gold Tweet won, the horse was in really good form and back in training and we thought we’d come over.

“There’s a lot of French trainers who’ve won in England and a few have come here already, it’s like a dream to come here. It’s like the World Cup and we’ll try our best.”

There are just two British-trained contenders – Dashel Drasher and Paisley Park – who were second and third respectively behind Gold Tweet in the Cleeve.

Emma Lavelle believes she has her 2019 Stayers’ Hurdle hero in top form ahead of his fifth run in the race and is crossing her fingers the popular 11-year-old can roll back the years.

She said: “He’s amazing to keep pulling it out the bag the way he has over the year and he certainly seems in good order.

Paisley Park is an ever-present in the Stayers' Hurdle
Paisley Park is an ever-present in the Stayers’ Hurdle (David Davies/PA)

“It looks a competitive renewal, but we know he loves Cheltenham, we know he loves that course and, touch wood, he has had a good preparation since his run in the Cleeve. Hopefully there will be plenty of pace and we see him flying up the hill at the finish.

“The ground is a positive for him in that it will probably slow the others up a bit, but to be honest I don’t think he really cares too much about the ground. He doesn’t like that really tacky ground, but outside of that he’s quite happy with whatever is thrown at him.

“It would a phenomenal achievement (to win the race again), but he has done us so proud over the years and has won a Grade One this year. Fingers crossed he can show us all what he is capable of.”

Flooring Porter takes on 10 rivals in Stayers’ hat-trick bid

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Gavin Cromwell’s Flooring Porter will face 10 rivals as he bids to win the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on Thursday for the third time.

He has already joined the likes of Galmoy and Baracouda as a dual victor in the race and a third triumph would emulate Inglis Drever, although the indomitable Big Buck’s stands alone having won the race four times.

Flooring Porter has suffered an interrupted preparation this year but Cromwell has been pleased with his progress in recent weeks.

Winning connections celebrating Flooring Porter's success in the World Hurdle last year
Winning connections celebrating Flooring Porter’s success in the World Hurdle last year (Steven Paston/PA)

Gordon Elliott’s Teahupoo is one of the young pretenders aiming to take his crown.

He caused a shock when downing Honeysuckle in the Hatton’s Grace and then proved his stamina in the Galmoy Hurdle.

Joseph O’Brien’s Home By The Lee was sixth in the race 12 months ago and has improved this term to win the Lismullen Hurdle and Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Blazing Khal is unbeaten in his last five races and returned from a mammoth absence to win on his only outing this season in the Boyne Hurdle, but trainer Charles Byrnes has endured a difficult time with him since that Navan run last month.

Klassical Dream faded into fifth when beaten favourite in this race last year and is another who has not enjoyed a straightforward preparation.

Sire Du Berlais and Ashdale Bob also represent Ireland.

The home team is consists of just two, previous winner Paisley Park and Jeremy Scott’s Dashel Drasher.

Dashel Drasher was second in the Cleeve Hurdle to Gold Tweet, who is trained in France by Gabriel Leenders. He has been supplemented along with fellow French challenger Henri Le Farceur.

Flooring Porter ‘on target’ for Stayers’ Hurdle defence

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Flooring Porter is “on target” for a Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle hat-trick bid, according to trainer Gavin Cromwell.

The eight-year-old was magnificent from the front in the hands of Danny Mullins in both 2021 and 2022, but his chances of lighting up Prestbury Park for a third time appeared to be in the balance having met with a setback following defeat in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown.

His hopes of making the Festival were described as no better than “50-50” at the time, but connections are now happy with their charge, who returns to his beloved Cheltenham as the 6-1 joint-fourth favourite with the race sponsor.

“We’re happy now and we’re on target to run,” said Cromwell.

“Obviously he missed a bit of work and that isn’t ideal, but we’re happy with him nonetheless. He’s in good form and hopefully now we can get him over there in one piece.

“With such an unideal prep, hopefully he doesn’t have as big a target on his back and we can be slightly under the radar.

“But we’re delighted to be getting him there – a month ago we were very unsure whether we would, so it’s great to be thinking he’s certainly going to run.”

Cromwell is also hoping that Vanillier can sparkle in the spring when he heads to the Randox Grand National on April 15 following a pleasing display in Fairyhouse’s Bobbyjo Chase.

Vanillier here winning at the Cheltenham Festival, is set to line up in the Randox Grand National
Vanillier here winning at the Cheltenham Festival, is set to line up in the Randox Grand National (Michael Steele/PA)

The former Albert Bartlett winner was coming off a back of a fall at the Dublin Racing Festival when lining up in the Grade Three contest, but produced a clean round of jumping to finish just half a length behind Kemboy in second.

He is now likely to head straight to Aintree and saw his odds trimmed to a general 25-1 for National glory.

Cromwell continued: “I was delighted with the run. He jumped and travelled well and it was a good run to finish so close to Kemboy. I suppose the third horse was a bit behind on ratings which wasn’t ideal, but it was a good run nonetheless.

“I would say he is unlikely to run again between now and Aintree, but he’s not definitely not going to run again.

“We don’t know which way he will take to the fences, but hopefully he will and we’re looking forward to it.

“He’s a horse who seems to come good in the spring, so hopefully that is the case.”

Flooring Porter making good progress towards Stayers’ Hurdle defence

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Gavin Cromwell is “pretty optimistic” Flooring Porter will return to full fitness in time to bid for a third victory in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham next month.

The eight-year-old was a brilliant all-the-way winner of the three-mile showpiece in 2021 and was similarly impressive when successfully defending his crown last season.

He has been beaten in both the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan and Leopardstown’s Christmas Hurdle so far this season, but as that was also the case last term there was no serious cause for alarm.

Gavin Cromwell (left) and jockey Danny Mullins celebrate after Flooring Porter's second Stayers' Hurdle success
Gavin Cromwell (left) and jockey Danny Mullins celebrate after Flooring Porter’s second Stayers’ Hurdle success (Steven Paston/PA)

However, Cromwell revealed in mid-January his stable star had suffered a setback that meant his hopes of making the Festival were no better than “50-50” and “hanging in the balance”.

A month on, though, and the County Meath handler issued a more positive update on Flooring Porter’s well-being, saying: “He’s done plenty of work and has taken it all good so far, so we’re pretty optimistic at this stage.

“As things stand I’d say we’re 70-30 or 80-20 (to make Cheltenham).”

In Flooring Porter’s absence a number of horses have thrown their hat in the Stayers’ Hurdle ring.

Blazing Khal heads the Stayers' Hurdle market
Blazing Khal heads the Stayers’ Hurdle market (Brian Lawless/PA)

The Charles Byrnes-trained Blazing Khal is the new favourite after making a successful return in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan, Gordon Elliott’s Teahupoo staked his claim by winning the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park and French ace Gold Tweet came from nowhere to beat the best of the British in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham.

With Flooring Porter’s Navan and Leopardstown conqueror Home By The Lee also in the mix, the reigning champion is as big as 10-1 to join Inglis Drever as a three-time winner

“A few horses have come into it over the last few weeks and we’re just hoping we can get our horse back to Cheltenham in the same nick he has been the last two years,” Cromwell added.

Cromwell remains cautious but ‘bit more positive’ on Flooring Porter

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Gavin Cromwell is feeling more positive about the chance of Flooring Porter being able to defend his Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle crown at Cheltenham.

The dual winner of the race met with a setback last month that forced Cromwell to state his chance of running at the Festival was no better than “50-50″.

However, following a pleasing scan result this week the in-form trainer was able to be slightly more upbeat, without getting carried away.

“We got a bit of good news yesterday and we’re actually back riding him. He’s done a lot of swimming and hasn’t lost too much fitness,” said Cromwell, speaking at Leopardstown on Saturday.

“He’s going to be trotting for a few days, fingers crossed. He had to get a scan and it was good.

“I wouldn’t want to tempt fate, but it’s a bit more positive this week.”

Flooring Porter’s Cheltenham bid hanging in the balance

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Flooring Porter’s bid for a third Stayers’ Hurdle victory is in doubt after Gavin Cromwell revealed his stable star was “50-50” to make Cheltenham after suffering a setback.

The eight-year-old was a brilliant all-the-way winner of the Paddy Power-sponsored three-mile showpiece in 2021 and was similarly impressive when successfully defending his crown last season.

Just as he did last term, Flooring Porter was set to return to the Festival off the back of successive defeats after finishing fourth in the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan and in Leopardstown’s Christmas Hurdle.

Gavin Cromwell and Danny Mullins at Cheltenham
Gavin Cromwell and Danny Mullins at Cheltenham (Steven Paston/PA)

But whether he lines up at Cheltenham at all this time around is now far from certain.

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 taking direct path for Stayers’ Hurdle defence

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Flooring Porter will head straight to the Cheltenham Festival, with Gavin Cromwell retaining plenty of faith in his stable star ahead of his bid for a third successive Stayers’ Hurdle.

Danny Mullins expertly steered the enigmatic son of Yeats to glory in the Paddy Power-backed Grade One in both 2021 and 2022 and Flooring Porter is the 5-1 favourite with the sponsors to defend the title once again and join Big Buck’s and Inglis Drever in the select band of horses to win the race three or more times.

However, he will head to Prestbury Park without a win to his name this season, having followed up a somewhat below-par reappearance at Navan by finishing fourth, beaten just under four lengths, in Jack de Bromhead Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown.

The eight-year-old has headed straight to the Festival having finished first and second in that Grade One event previously and Cromwell is keen to follow the same route, certain his charge will once again be a key figure in Cheltenham’s Thursday feature if taking a step forward.

“He’s fine and we will try the same again, straight there is the plan,” said Cromwell.

Reflecting on his Christmas Hurdle run, Cromwell added: “I suppose we didn’t get the result we were looking for, but he didn’t run a bad race. We were hoping he would have run a bit better, but he stayed galloping at the line.

“I suppose possibly Danny didn’t go fast enough, but it wasn’t a terrible run and if he can step forward from that we can be competitive at Cheltenham.

“It’s all about Cheltenham.”

Flooring Porter sights set on Christmas crown

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Dual Stayers’ Hurdle hero Flooring Porter bids to get back on the winning trail in the Jack de Bromhead Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown on Wednesday.

Gavin Cromwell’s stable star filled the runner-up spot in the Grade One contest 12 months ago behind Klassical Dream, who this year misses out after suffering a setback.

Flooring Porter took his revenge when successfully defending his Stayers’ Hurdle crown at the Cheltenham Festival in March and is expected to improve on his fourth-placed finish in last month’s Lismullen Hurdle at Navan.

He will need to up his game, however, with the first three finishers – Home By The Lee, Bob Olinger and Ashdale Bob – taking him on once more.

Cromwell said: “Flooring Porter is in good form and has come out of his run at Navan fine.

“We are meeting those horses off level weights now, fitness wise he will have improved a lot for it and the extra half-mile suits him well.

“We’re basically replicating what we did last year and we’re looking forward to getting him out.”

Bob Olinger winning at last season's Cheltenham Festival
Bob Olinger winning at last season’s Cheltenham Festival (Tim Goode/PA)

Bob Olinger would certainly be a poignant winner for Henry de Bromhead, whose late son is honoured in the title of this year’s renewal.

In Klassical Dream’s absence champion trainer Willie Mullins launches a twin assault, although both Saldier and Mr Adjudicator appear to have their work cut out.

Zanahiyr appears the pick of three runners for Gordon Elliott ahead of Sire Du Berlais and Commander Of Fleet, while Noel Meade’s Beacon Edge and Meet And Greet from Oliver McKiernan’s yard also feature.