NOT since the fabled triumphs of Dawn Run and Desert Orchid had the Cheltenham winners’ enclosure hosted mad-cap celebration scenes like it.

Flooring Porter returned to a joyous and raucous reception after successfully defending his Stayers’ Hurdle crown 12 months ago under another superb front-running ride from Danny Mullins.

A similar carnival atmosphere Is on the cards in the Cotswolds next Thursday if the popular eight-year-old can emulate the achievement of Inglis Drever and Big Bucks in winning the three-mile Grade One contest for a third time.

Owned by the Ballinasloe-based Flooring Porter syndicate comprised of Ned Hogarty, Kerril Creaven and the father and son Sweeney team of Tommy and Alan, the dual champion hasn’t had the ideal preparation for Cheltenham.

The horse was restricted to light work for several weeks after a back issue came to light in the wake of a subdued run in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown which saw Flooring Porter only finish fourth behind Home By The Lee.

But trainer Gavin Cromwell delivered an upbeat bulletin on Flooring Porter last week when revealing that the horse was working well on the gallops and that it was all systems go for Cheltenham next Thursday.

It was still an anxious time for Flooring Porter’s connections as outlined this week by syndicate member Kerril Creaven, the former Killimordaly hurler.

“Yeah, we were worried for a time that he wouldn’t make it back to Cheltenham and that would have been a shame for the horse if he was denied the opportunity of winning the race for a third time.”

That scenario has now been avoided and Creaven said that in the syndicate’s latest communication with Cromwell, the trainer reported that Flooring Porter was in “mighty form” and that he was showing no “ill-effects” from his minor injury.

“The horse is fit and well, and though it’s a hotter race than last year, our fella has been there and done it – not once but twice. There is no reason to believe that he can’t do it again.

Creaven admits that there are plenty of dangers lurking to end Flooring Porter’s reign. “Klassical Dream is very good on his day, and we really don’t know the limit of Blazing Khal’s ability. Our horse will go off in front and hopefully he will stay there.”

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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