The Flooring Porter Syndicate with Gavin Cromwell (second from right)© Photo Healy Racing
Dual Stayers Hurdle winner Flooring Porter will revert left-handed following his third-placing in last weekend's Grade 2 Florida Pearl Chase, in which he displayed an old tendency to jump left.
The eight-year-old made an impressive winning chase debut at Cheltenham in October but at Punchestown on Saturday, was reverting right-handed for the first time since pulling up at that same Kildare course in April 2021.
Jumping left from before halfway, Flooring Porter later hung badly left in the closing stages but still managed a 15 lengths-third to Favori De Champdou.
His trainer Gavin Cromwell reports “he’s fine after Saturday, there is not a bother on him. The loose horse played a big part in it, he was in a lovely rhythm over the first few and then the loose horse came alongside and lit him up. He ran a good enough race all things considered and he’s home safe and sound.
“I’m not sorry for trying it but going forward he’d need to get his own way really and doesn’t need to be hassled like that. He’s definitely a different horse going the other way and all being well he’ll go to Leopardstown at Christmas.
“He gave himself a hard race but he’s out in the field today and he’s in good form. He’s hardy.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
