Leading Grand National hope Flooring Porter ruled out for the rest of the season

Flooring Porter ruled out for rest of season

Grand National hope ruled out through injury

Leading Grand National hope Flooring Porter has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to injury.

The nine-year-old, trained by Gavin Cromwell, was one of the favourites for the world's most famous steeplechase at Aintree on April 15.

However, Cromwell revealed on Monday that Flooring Porter has suffered a setback and will now miss the race.

“It's very disappointing news,” Cromwell told Racing Post.

“He had a setback last week and we had to get the vet to him.

“He has a problem with his pelvis and he will be out for the rest of the season.

“It's a big blow but we have to get on with it.

“He's a lovely horse and we'll look forward to getting him back next season.”

Flooring Porter won the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2021 and was second in the Ryanair Chase at the same meeting last year.

He was also runner-up in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown in February.

Flooring Porter's absence is a major blow to Cromwell's Grand National hopes.

The Irish trainer has won the race twice in the past, with Rule The World in 2016 and Tiger Roll in 2018 and 2019.

Cromwell still has a number of other horses in contention for this year's race, including last year's third-placed finisher Minella Times.

However, the loss of Flooring Porter is a significant setback.

The Grand National is one of the most challenging races in the world, and only the very best horses can win it.

Flooring Porter was one of those horses, and his absence from this year's race is a major disappointment.