‘Cancel the Festival! – Punters react to Flooring Porter being a big doubt for Cheltenham
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.
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 : "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."
OFFERS OF THE DAY
William Hill: Bet £10 Get £40 in free bets -
Betfair: Bet £10 Get £30 -
Paddy Power: £5 in Free Bets when you place a £10 bet on Horse Racing -
Sky Bet: Bet £10 on Racing and get £30 in free bets -
Ladbrokes: Bet £5 Get £20 -
Coral: Bet £5 Get £20 -
William Hill: 18+. Play Safe. When you sign-up via Mobile using promo code P40 and place a bet of £10/€10 or more we will give you 4x £10/€10 free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. Virtual markets excluded. #ad
Betfair - Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+
Paddy Power: Applies to £10+ singles placed on any Horse racing market, min odds 1/2 (1.5). £5 Free bet will be awarded after qualifying bet settlement, valid for 30 days. Opt-In Required. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Sky Bet: New customers only. First single & e/w bet only odds of 1/1 or greater. 3 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets only redeemable on horse racing. Free bets are non withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions and further t&cs apply.
Ladbrokes: 18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £/€5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 4x £/€5 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Coral: Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cash-out, restrictions & T&Cs apply. 18+ T&Cs Apply. Begambleaware.org
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
READ MORE SUN STORIES
12-1 Sharjah, Monkfish, Saint Sam
20-1 Bar
FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chases their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare –
- Gamble Aware –