Flooring Porter v Bob Olinger: analysis and insight for a huge Lismullen clash

Sunday: 1.55 Navan
Railway Bar Lismullen Hurdle (Grade 2) | 2m4f | 4yo+ | RTV/RTE1

Not many Grade 2s in November boast the quality of this cracking contest, in which dual Stayers' Hurdle scorer Flooring Porter makes his seasonal reappearance against star names such as Bob Olinger, Zanahiyr and Sire Du Berlais.

There are no fewer than three winners from last season's Cheltenham Festival involved, as well as the 2022 Champion Hurdle third, Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle winner and Punchestown Champion Stayers Hurdle runner-up.

Connections of Flooring Porter have made no secret of the fact they are working back from a hat-trick bid in the Stayers' Hurdle as their primary objective this season, so we shouldn't expect a peak version of the seven-year-old here.

Bob Olinger: reverts to hurdles after a season over fencesCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Henry de Bromhead struck with Envoi Allen on that top performer's first start of the season at Down Royal last week and another of his stars in Bob Olinger also makes his reappearance. The fortunate Turners Novices' Chase winner needs to bounce back from a Punchestown festival blowout and perhaps reverting to hurdles will do the trick.

Zanahiyr, who came down at the last in the Aintree Hurdle on his most recent start, brings rock-solid form to the table. Runner-up to Sharjah in the Morgiana and Matheson Hurdle last season before finishing second and third to Honeysuckle in Champion Hurdles at Leopardstown and Cheltenham, he could be a serious force in the staying division this season.

Zanahiyr: placed in four Grade 1 contests last seasonCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Dual Pertemps Final winner Sire Du Berlais lowered Flooring Porter's colours in Grade 1 company at Aintree in April, but the runner-up was probably over the top at that stage of the campaign and Gordon Elliott usually has him peaking for the spring.

Ashdale Bob, a Grade 1 second to Klassical Dream at the Punchestown festival when last seen, receives 9lb from Flooring Porter while being rated 12lb inferior, but this course and distance suits him well.

Cromwell hoping for better luck

Gavin Cromwell believes staying star Flooring Porter is in a similar place in terms of fitness as he was 12 months ago.

Sent off the 7-4 favourite for what looked a less competitive race, the three-time Grade 1 winner was trading a little shorter than 1-2 in-running when coming down at the second-last.

Cromwell said: "He seems in good nick and we're looking forward to getting him started off. It's a very good race. We began our season here last year so we're happy to follow a similar route again.

"I think he's in a similar sort of place to where he would have been going there last season so hopefully we'll have a bit more luck this time."

What they say

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Sire Du Berlais, Zanahiyr and Commander Of Fleet
Sire Du Berlais had a great time of things last season and seems in good order. You'd expect him to probably improve for his first start of the season. We're hoping Zanahiyr will come into his own over this trip and possibly a bit further this season. It can be hard for those four-year-old hurdlers turning five when in senior company, but I thought he acquitted himself very well last season. This trip looks ideal for his first start back. Commander Of Fleet probably wants a longer trip and softer ground. It looks a stiff enough task on his first start of the season.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Ashdale Bob
He seems to love Navan and has some good form around there. It's a tough race for his first start back but he was great last season and looks to be in great form.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Bob Olinger
He seems to be back to himself now and worked really well last week. This has been the plan for a while.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Home By The Lee
It looks a very hot race and the distance is a bit short of his best but he's in really good form.

Sunday's previews:

1.45 Cheltenham: Nube Negra faces just two rivals in Shloer Chase repeat bid

2.20 Cheltenham: 'We think he's in great shape' - which chaser has his trainer purring?

2.30 Navan: Townend 'worried' by Ferny Hollow's lack of chasing experience on Fortria return

2.55 Cheltenham: 'He couldn't be in a better place' - top trainers on their Greatwood chances

3.30 Cheltenham: Nicky Henderson newcomer bids to emulate Altior in Supreme Trial

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