Grade 1 Winning Son Of Yeats Delivers On Chase Debut

Top-class hurdler Flooring Porter (8g Yeats - Lillymile, by Revoque) returned to make a winning start over fences in Saturday’s Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham.

Gavin Cromwell’s three-time Grade 1 winner was sent off favourite on his chase debut and raced prominently throughout the three mile contest under Keith Donoghue. The bay had his rivals in trouble turning for home and was simply shaken up on the run-in to score by two and a half lengths, eased down.

“First time over fences, and to do it from the front, it was a good performance,” said the in-form winning trainer. “I know on ratings he was a good bit above the others in the race, but you still have to be happy with the way he has jumped. He went to the top of the hill very well which is great to see the engine is still there.”

Saturday marked an eighth career success for Flooring Porter, who was bred by Sean Murphy. The son of Yeats is the sole winner out of Lillymile, who has a yearling full-brother to the winner.