DUAL Stayers’ Hurdle hero Flooring Porter is just 50/50 to defend his crown at Cheltenham Festival.
Trainer Gavin Cromwell confirmed the horse had suffered a setback in training.
Flooring Porter would be a huge loss to Cheltenham Festival if he doesn’t make it back from injury in time
His victory last year sparked amazing scenes of celebration from his owners.
But the Guinness could be on hold in two months’ time after Cromwell said the eight-year-old might not recover in time.
He told the Racing Post: “Unfortunately, Flooring Porter has suffered a setback and 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.”
Safe to say the news did not go down well with those ante-post punters who put him in their accas.
One wrote: “Cancel the Festival if Flooring Porter doesn’t turn up!”
Another said: “Noooooo Flooring Porter.”
One punter posted: “Everyone’s ante post accas in tatters here.”
While another, possibly while looking at a potentially losing slip, added: “I need a drink.”
Flooring Porter was around 5-1 to win the feature race on Thursday for a third time.
Surprise package Home By The Lee has strenghtened at the head of the market on the back of the Flooring Porter news.
Coral’s Lewis Knowles said: “Flooring Porter has been an absolute superstar for connections, and it would be a real shame if he’s not able to defend his crown at Cheltenham this year.
“Home By The Lee is now our outright favourite at 4-1, and with doubts over the participation of many of his rivals, that could represent a touch of value.”
Stayers’ Hurdle odds with Coral
4-1 Home By The Lee
6-1 Klassical Dream
7-1 Teahupoo
8-1 Blazing Khal, Flooring Porter
10-1 Ashdale Bob, Marie’s Rock, Paisley Park, Sir Gerhard
12-1 Sharjah, Monkfish, Saint Sam
20-1 Bar
