Grand National hope Flooring Porter ruled out for the season

Randox Grand National hope Flooring Porter has been ruled out for the season through injury.

The Gavin Cromwell-trained nine-year-old was a best-price 40-1 for the Aintree feature with Betfair Sportsbook and Paddy Power.

Cromwell told William Hill: "Unfortunately it looks as though Flooring Porter will be out for the season. He’s picked up an injury and his return date suggests he’ll most likely miss the rest of this campaign. The timing of it means it’s unlikely he will be able to make it back for the big meetings in the spring, so it’s in the best interest of the horse to give him all the time he needs to recover.

“He’s been a real star for us so far so it’s really unfortunate that we won’t be able to see him again this term. He’s given connections some amazing days up until now and hopefully there will be many more of those to come.”

Gavin Cromwell: trainer of Flooring PorterCredit: Edward Whitaker

Flooring Porter was a convincing winner of the Kerry National under regular rider Keith Donoghue at Listowel on his last start in September.

The son of Yeats went chasing for the first time last season and beat Broadway Boy on his first start over fences at Cheltenham last October. He has a 2-5 record over fences.

He finished second in the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March, having won that race in 2021 and 2022, and fifth in the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree the following month.

Read more . . .

'It's a nightmare' - Dan Skelton and Nicky Henderson frustrated as dry spell sparks crisis in novice chase field sizes 

Why this horse can win: free tips for all 11 televised races on ITV on Saturday 

'Hopefully we can get to Cheltenham' - Harry Redknapp eyes festival target for novice handicap chase winner 

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.