Tag Archive for: Gavin Cromwell

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.