'I think the race will really suit him' - dual Stayers' Hurdle winner Flooring Porter confirmed for valuable midweek pot

Gavin Cromwell believes the Guinness Kerry National (4.20) will be right up Flooring Porter's street with the dual Stayers' Hurdle winner set to join stablemate Perceval Legallois in the line-up for the Listowel showpiece on Wednesday. 

The pair are both single figures in Paddy Power's market and give Cromwell a seriously strong hand in a race he has yet to win. 

Flooring Porter was a late arrival to chasing at the age of eight, but he looked a natural when winning on his debut over fences at Cheltenham's Showcase meeting last October. 

He was third in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown over Christmas subsequently, but connections decided to have another crack at the Stayers' Hurdle at last season's Cheltenham Festival rather than tackle the National Hunt Chase, for which he was a leading fancy.

That decision was vindicated as he was runner-up to Teahupoo in March, but now he is back on the hunt for more chasing glory and Cromwell admitted that the Kerry National has been on his radar for Flooring Porter for some time.

Cromwell said: "Flooring Porter seems to be in great form and I suppose we've had this race in mind for a while for him. I think it will really suit him. He doesn't like real heavy ground in the depths of winter and he needs to go left-handed. 

"It looked like a race he might like so we said we'd have a go. Everything seems good with him and hopefully he can run a big race."

When asked what the scenes would be like in the winner's enclosure if he happened to win the €200,000 highlight, given the Flooring Porter Syndicate are renowned for their celebrations, Cromwell replied: "Oh, it'll be wild!"

Danny Mullins is carried in the winner's enclosure after Flooring Porter's victory in the Stayers' HurdleCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The rags-to-riches story of Flooring Porter is quite remarkable. He was rated only 95 after his first four races and could not win a novice hurdle at Downpatrick in his early days when rated 104. 

Since winning a handicap hurdle at Gowran in the summer of 2020 he has never looked back, though, and a ninth career victory on Wednesday would see his earnings crash through the €900,000 barrier and edge him closer to becoming a millionaire. 

Perceval Legallois is also reported to be an intended runner by Cromwell after failing to justify favouritism in the Galway Plate when only eighth behind Pinkerton. 

Cromwell said: "We have Perceval Legallois as well as Flooring Porter in the race and he seems in good form too, so fingers crossed he can run a big race as well."

Guinness Kerry National (4.20 Listowel, Wednesday) Paddy Power: 7 Zanahiyr, 8 Perceval Legallois, The Real Whacker, Thecompanysergeant, 9 Flooring Porter, 10 Amirite, Duffle Coat, Solitary Man, 12 bar

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