3 minute read

Gavin Cromwell is in no rush to decide in what race Flooring Porter will compete at Cheltenham next month.

The dual Stayers' Hurdle winner impressed when beating Broadway Boy on his chasing debut at Cheltenham, but he once again showed his tendency to prefer going left-handed when third in the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Novice Chase at Punchestown in November.

A recent third-place finish behind Grangeclare West and Corbett's Cross in the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Novice Chase at Leopardstown in December prompted Cromwell to think about stepping his charge up further in trip, although the Balrath-based trainer failed to rule out a return to hurdling in a bid to regain his Stayers' crown.

Cromwell said: "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,"

"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."