'It's a nice place to start him off' - dual Stayers' Hurdle winner Flooring Porter poised for chasing debut at Cheltenham

Gavin Cromwell takes the wraps off Flooring Porter as the dual Stayers’ Hurdle winner kicks off his chasing career in the William Hill Lengthen Your Odds Novices’ Chase (4.10) at Cheltenham.

Only four runners have been declared for the £40,000 event, but they include Weveallbeencaught, who was a novice hurdler on many people's lips after winning at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.

Flooring Porter failed to register a hat-trick of Cheltenham staying contests when fourth to Sire Du Berlais in March, but he still ran a cracking race before finishing third in Aintree’s Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle.

Cromwell said: “He certainly knows his way around the track, so it’s a nice place to start him off over fences. He seems in great nick and the ground should be perfect for him. We’re looking forward to it.”

Nigel Twiston-Davies, who runs Broadway Boy in addition to Weveallbeencaught, the mount of his son Sam, doesn’t believe there is as much between the pair as the market may suggest.

“There’s not a lot between them and they’re hard to split,” he said. “Weveallbeencaught was a good hurdler early on last season.

Weveallbeencaught: makes his chasing debut for Nigel Twiston-DaviesCredit: John Grossick

“He’s a huge, great big horse and might have just had some growing pains when he disappointed after that. I hope he takes to fences.”

Broadway Boy, winner of four of his eight races, including his sole start over fences, has proven race fitness on his side.

“Broadway Boy won well at Worcester the other day,” Twiston-Davies said. “I think he can run well, too.”

Read the rest of our Saturday previews:

1.15 Cheltenham: Is the progressive Haddex Des Obeaux the next Grade 1 winner to emerge from this competitive handicap chase?

1.50 Cheltenham: It's Blueking D'Oroux's race to lose - but can anything stop the Paul Nicholls good thing? 

2.10 Doncaster: 'Bad ground is a worry' - Aidan O'Brien and Charlie Appleby on Futurity favourites Diego Velazquez and Ancient Wisdom 

2.25 Cheltenham: Will front-runners dominate or can patient tactics pay dividends in a race that often defies Cheltenham trends? 

3.00 Cheltenham: 'He goes there at the top of his game' - analysis and key quotes for Pertemps qualifier 

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