Flooring Porter set to take fittingly unusual route to the Grand National

Flooring Porter has always been unique and he is set to take a fittingly unusual route to the Randox Grand National, with Gavin Cromwell suggesting he might only have one more run before the Aintree spectacular in April and that is likely to come in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on Trials day in January. 

The two-time Stayers' Hurdle winner, who was a fine second to Teahupoo in the race last season, produced a spectacular performance from the front to land the Kerry National at Listowel in September and, while the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan on Saturday week is under consideration, the likelihood is that he will next be seen in the Cleeve Hurdle on January 25. 

Speaking at the launch of the Navan Racing Festival, Cromwell said of Flooring Porter: "He could run in the Lismullen, but I'd say he's not a certain runner. He was very good in the Kerry National and Keith [Donoghue] was very good on him, but he went up a stone for that so he's very high in the handicap now. He’s not that big so I wouldn’t say he’s a proper winter chaser.

"We could end up waiting and going to Cheltenham for the Cleeve Hurdle in January. Potentially, he could run in the Stayers’ Hurdle again or else he might just go straight to the National after the Cleeve. 

Flooring Porter's syndicate celebrate Kerry National victory at ListowelCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"He’s been a fantastic servant. He’s not the easiest to train or ride, and he takes a bit of managing, but he's been an unbelievable horse and he really enjoyed himself at Listowel so there is plenty to look forward to with him."

Limerick Lace, the winner of the Mares' Chase at last season's Cheltenham Festival, was runner-up to Coko Beach in last year's Troytown Chase at Navan for Cromwell, and his team for this year's event is likely to be captained by Perceval Legallois. 

Of his five entries, the trainer said: "Perceval Legallois has threatened so many times, he’s fallen when looking like winning at Leopardstown last season, but he’s off a mark now that he might not be as well handicapped as people think is. He keeps getting pushed up the handicap without winning. We’re just hoping there’s a big one in him and he should run in the Troytown as long as there’s no jar in the ground.

"Yeah Man could run too. The ground will be fine for him. Hartur D’Arc is in the Paddy Power at Cheltenham and could potentially go there, while Ask Anything could probably do with so more juice in the ground.”

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