"At this stage, it's probably 50-50" - Flooring Porter suffers set-back ahead of Cheltenham

A highlight of each of the past two Cheltenham Festivals has been Flooring Porter's victories in the Stayers' Hurdle. Gavin Cromwell's star has enjoyed a fairytale rise to the top of the staying hurdle ranks in recent years, and his ownership syndicate has lit up Prestbury Park with their passionate post-race celebrations.

Despite a couple of low-key performances to kick off his campaign, many were expecting Flooring Porter to bounce back to top form in time for the Cheltenham Festival, where he would become just the third three-time Stayers' Hurdle winner if he managed to defend his crown. Sadly, that date with destiny may be put on hold for another year, after Cromwell broke some timely injury news on Wednesday.

"Unfortunately Flooring Porter has suffered a setback." Cromwell told the Racing Post. 

"It's going to be tight as to whether he will make Cheltenham or not. I would say at this stage it's probably 50-50. The next three weeks will tell a lot, but he will be missing bits of work which is not ideal. 

"It is not a career-threatening injury or anything like that, it is just a small setback which is going to hold us up a bit."

As a result, Flooring Porter has drifted from 6s out to 12/1 in Unibet's market for the 2023 Stayers' Hurdle. Home By The Lee is the 7/2 favourite, ahead of Klassical Dream, Teahupoo and Paisley Park, who've all had their odds trimmed as a result of Flooring Porter's injury.