Flooring Porter on target for Stayers hat-trick bid

Gavin Cromwell is finalising plans for his Cheltenham Festival team and is pleased with the progress being made by stablestar Flooring Porter following a setback earlier this year.

The dual Paddy Power Stayers Hurdle winner is on target for his hat-trick bid in the three-mile event for which he is currently a general 6/1 chance.

“We missed plenty of work but I’m as happy as I can be at this stage all things considered,” Cromwell told Racing TV.

“He seems very well at home and is good and fresh. Obviously it’s in the back of our head that he’s missed a good bit of work but I’m happy with him.

“It’s competitive but I don’t think there is a real standout horse in it. He has the form in the book and knows how to win around there which is always a big plus.”

The eight-year-old is likely to run again after Cheltenham with a number of options available including a trip to France.

“We’ll take it one step at a time but I’d definitely be looking at going somewhere else with him all being well.”

The Danestown trainer has a number of decent chances in the handicaps at Prestbury Park including Stumptown and Final Orders, although the latter holds entries in both the Arkle and the Grand Annual.

“He’s only 1lb higher in the UK and it looks like the top ones (in the Grand Annual) will probably run so the weights shouldn’t go up. It’s still up for discussion with the owners and we haven’t made our mind up yet.

“He’s been good since Leopardstown. He’s not flash at home, we’re just keeping him ticking over and he seems in good nick.

Stumptown is 4/1 favourite for the Kim Muir following impressive victories at Thurles and Sandown, and Cromwell has secured the services of champion point-to-point rider Barry O’Neill for the highly progressive six-year-old gelding.

“He was a good winner in Sandown and I suppose he was entitled to get another 10lb. Barry O’Neill rides him and that’s obviously a good booking.

“He seems in good nick and we’re hopeful of a good run.”

Cromwell has saddled four winners at the Cheltenham Festival including the 2019 Champion Hurdle with the ill-fated Espoir D’Allen.