A late change of heart led to Gavin Cromwell entering his long-absent stable star Flooring Porter in the Betfair Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The dual Stayers’ Hurdle winner has been sidelined by injury since winning the 2024 Kerry National and last week his trainer indicated this weekend’s Pertemps Network Cleeve Hurdle would be the stage for his comeback.

The 11-year-old’s name even appeared among the contenders for that Grade 2 contest early on Monday morning, but with a potential tilt at the Randox Grand National in mind, Cromwell decided to switch targets before the entries closed for both Festival Trials day races at noon.

“It was a last minute U-turn,” he told the Press Association.

“Thinking about it, it’s a possibility he could go for the Grand National and he needs one more run over fences to qualify, so I thought this could be the race to do it in as it’s a small field and he may not have as hard a race as he would in a Cleeve Hurdle for his first start back.

“I’m not saying the Cotswold Chase is not a good race, it is, but with a small field he just might have an easier time of it.

“He’s in great shape, we’re delighted with him and looking forward to getting him out.”

Flooring Porter is one of just five possible runners in the Cotswold Chase, with Grey Dawning the 4/6 favourite with he sponsors as he bids to cement his Cheltenham Gold Cup credentials.

The nine-year-old sidestepped the Festival entirely last season, but trainer Dan Skelton is gunning for the blue riband this time around after seeing his charge make an impressive start to his campaign in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November.

He is set to be taken on this weekend by last year’s Cotswold Chase hero L’Homme Presse, who will be diverted to Prestbury Park after a planned appearance in the Classic Chase at Warwick was scuppered by the weather.

Gordon Elliott’s Stellar Story and the Jimmy Mangan-trained Spillane’s Tower could join Flooring Porter on the trip from Ireland.

The Cleeve Hurdle has attracted 10 entries, with the standard set by Nicky Henderson’s Long Distance and Long Walk Hurdle winner Impose Toi.

Olly Murphy’s Strong Leader was best of the rest behind Impose Toi at Ascot before Christmas and while he has so far failed to run up to his best at Cheltenham, a rematch is on the cards.

“He will definitely run and he’s good and training well,” said Murphy.

“He has the Cheltenham question to answer and is going there with his eyes open, but we just want to have one more go.

“We didn’t think he handled Ascot last year and he did this year when second in the Long Walk and he’s had his wind-op and got his cheek pieces, so we’ll have one more roll of the dice.

“He’s in the form of his life and we’ll have a go here and then more than likely freshen him up for Aintree.”

Sixteen four-year-olds are in the mix for the Grade 2 JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle including Skelton’s impressive Kempton winner Maestro Conti and the Paul Nicholls-trained Minella Yoga, who claimed the notable scalp of Act Of Innocence on his British debut at Newbury last month.

The Nicky Henderson-trained Act Of Innocence is one of the possible star attractions in the last of four Grade 2s on the card, the AIS Novices’ Hurdle, with Olly Murphy’s unbeaten gelding Adonedeal, Ben Pauling’s Taurus Bay, Skelton’s pair of Bossman Jack and Carlenrig and John McConnell’s Champion Bumper runner-up Heads Up also in contention.

12.05 Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase 2m 4f 127y

Al Kalila (IRE) 7 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede S. R. B. Crawford Northern Ireland

Barlovento (IRE) 7 Mrs Diana L. Whateley Olly Murphy Sean Bowen

Califet En Vol (IRE) 7 McNeill Family & Stone Family Nicky Henderson

Dartmoor Pirate 7 geegeez.co.uk XXII Anthony Honeyball

Fine Casting (IRE) 10 Mrs S. P. Davis Ben Pauling Ben Jones

Jacob's Ladder (IRE) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Jordans Cross (IRE) 6 The Steeple Chasers Anthony Honeyball Sam Twiston-Davies

Kaline des Boullat (FR) 6 Mr Dov Seror Mickael Seror France

Kdeux Saint Fray (FR) 6 Les Bleus Fonces Anthony Honeyball Jonathan Burke

King of Kingsfield (IRE) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Kurasso Blue (FR) 5 Robcour Gordon Elliott Ireland

One Big Bang (IRE) 8 Big Bang Racing James Owen

Pleasington (IRE) 8 McNeill Family & Stone Family Olly Murphy Sean Bowen

Push The Button (IRE) 7 The 8 Amigos, Readers & Wiggy, N Skinner Mark Walford Jamie Hamilton

Quebecois (FR) 7 McNeill,Stevens,McKenzie,Flowers&Walsh Paul Nicholls

Rightsotom (GER) 7 Mrs Mary-Ann Middleton Joe Tizzard Brendan Powell

Scorsese (IRE) 8 Paul McKeon Neil Mulholland

Secret des Dieux (FR) 6 Mr P. H. Betts James Owen

The Enabler (IRE) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Wingmen (IRE) 8 Bective Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

12.40 JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 179y

Chartwell Jock 4 Mr S. Smode Seamus Mullins

Feel Gut (FR) 4 Mrs J Donnelly Nicky Henderson

Hardy Stuff (USA) 4 Mr Ray Stokes Gordon Elliott Ireland

La Luna Artista (FR) 4 The Culverhill Racing Club IV Mrs Jane Williams

Lord Byron (IRE) 4 Mr Justin Carthy Faye Bramley

Macktoad (FR) 4 TSG partnership Gary & Josh Moore Caoilin Quinn

Maestro Conti (FR) 4 Hales, Speelman, Mason, Hogarth Dan Skelton Harry Skelton

Manlaga (IRE) 4 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson

Minella Yoga (IRE) 4 Mr Michael Geoghegan Paul Nicholls

Miss des Boullats (FR) 4 Mrs Marie-Gabrielle Boudot Mickael Seror France

Misterdoc (FR) 4 Mr Des Grech Dan Skelton

One Horse Town (IRE) 4 THE JO COOL SYNDICATE Harry Derham Paul O'Brien

Senator (FR) 4 Mr Thomas Mold & Mr Luke Wilson Jamie Snowden

Sonic Pioneer 4 Redknapp, Salters & Powell Martin Keighley

Tenter Le Tout (FR) 4 Mr Ron Watts Chester Williams Gavin Sheehan

Vivre Le Reve 4 Burns, P & M Morrall, Stokes & Wicks Ben Pauling Ben Jones

1.15 Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 2m 4f 127y

Boombawn (IRE) 9 Bullen-Smith & Faulks Dan Skelton

Booster Bob (IRE) 8 Mrs Diana L. Whateley Olly Murphy Sean Bowen

Donnacha (IRE) 8 Mrs Marilyn Jane Martin Nigel Hawke James Davies

Hurricane Bay 10 The Hanseatic League Lucy Wadham

Jagwar (FR) 7 Mr John P. McManus Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

Javert Allen (FR) 7 HoltMacnabbRobinsonMiltonTuckerWeedon Mrs Jane Williams Ciaran Gethings

JPR One (IRE) 9 Mr J. P. Romans Joe Tizzard Brendan Powell

Moon D'Orange (FR) 8 Ian Stuart Griffiths and Gary Evans John McConnell Ireland

Prairie Wolf (IRE) 9 Mr G. R. Orchard & Mrs J. M. Gray Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith Gavin Sheehan

Riskintheground (IRE) 9 3 Sons Dan Skelton

Touch Me Not (IRE) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Triple Trade 10 SJS Racing Joe Tizzard Brendan Powell

Uncle Bert 9 James & Jean Potter Ltd Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

1.50 Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase 3m 5f 56y

Annual Invictus (IRE) 11 Mr Thomas Michael Smith Chris Gordon Freddie Gordon

Escaria Ten (FR) 12 J B Property Investments (Midlands) Ltd Martin Keighley James Best

Favori de Champdou (FR) 11 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Final Orders 10 C. M. D. Syndicate Gavin Cromwell Ireland

Homme Public (FR) 9 The Nevers Racing Partnership II Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero Craig Nichol

Iceo Madrik (FR) 8 Prof. Caroline Tisdall D. Cottin France

J'Arrive de L'Est (FR) 7 Mr P. Byrne Emmet Mullins Ireland

Latenightpass 13 Mrs P. A. Ellis Tom Ellis Miss Gina Andrews

Lively Citizen (IRE) 11 Mark E Smith and Keith M Hawes D. J. Jeffreys

Miralago (FR) 8 Ms Georgina Nicholls Georgina Nicholls

Numitor 12 Mr Paul G. Jacobs and Wetumpka Racing Heather Main

Peaches And Cream (IRE) 11 Gavin Cromwell Racing Ltd Gavin Cromwell Ireland

Placenet (FR) 9 Prof C Tisdall & G Thompson D. Cottin France

Some Scope 8 Mark Scott and Nigel Horler Richard Hobson Gavin Sheehan

The Big Breakaway (IRE) 11 Three Oaks, a Rose and an Acorn Syd Hosie Paddy Hanlon (5)

The Goffer (IRE) 9 Mr Allan Snow Gordon Elliott Ireland

Three By Two (IRE) 10 M. McEvoy D. P. Murphy Ireland

Tommie Beau (IRE) 11 Simon & Christine Prout Seamus Mullins

Unanswered Prayers (IRE) 10 The Morestead Pres Partnership Chris Gordon Freddie Gordon

Where It All Began (IRE) 10 Patrick & Scott Bryceland,McNeill Family Gordon Elliott Ireland

2.25 Betfair Cotswold Chase (Grade 2) 3m 1f 56y

Flooring Porter (IRE) 11 Flooring Porter Syndicate Gavin Cromwell Ireland

Grey Dawning (IRE) 9 Mr Robert Kirkland Dan Skelton Harry Skelton

L'homme Presse (FR) 11 Dfa Racing (Pink,Edwards & Sharman) Venetia Williams Charlie Deutsch

Spillane's Tower (IRE) 8 Mr John P. McManus James Joseph Mangan Ireland

Stellar Story (IRE) 9 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

3.00 Unibet Hurdle (Class 1) (Registered as The International Hurdle) (Grade 2) 2m 179y

Brentford Hope 9 The Optimists Syndicate Harry Derham Paul O'Brien

Nemean Lion (GER) 9 Mr Will Roseff Kerry Lee

Poniros 5 Tony Bloom W. P. Mullins Ireland

Sir Gino (FR) 6 Mrs J Donnelly Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville

The New Lion 7 Mr John P. McManus Dan Skelton Harry Skelton

3.35 Pertemps Network Cleeve Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 7f 213y

Doddiethegreat (IRE) 10 Mr K. Alexander Nicky Henderson

Gowel Road (IRE) 10 Options O Syndicate Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies

Impose Toi (FR) 8 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson

Kamsinas (FR) 9 Noel Fehily Racing Syndicates Kamsinas Fergal O'Brien

Lavida Adiva (IRE) 7 Drew & Ailsa Russell Ruth Jefferson

Ma Shantou (IRE) 7 Mighty Acorn Stables Emma Lavelle Harry Cobden

Maxxum (IRE) 9 Mr P. Rabbitt Gordon Elliott Ireland

Nurse Susan (FR) 9 Mr Colm Donlon Dan Skelton Harry Skelton

Strong Leader 9 Welfordgolf Syndicate Olly Murphy Sean Bowen

Theleme (FR) 9 JDG Bloodstock Services A. Chaille-Chaille & F. Pamart France

4.10 AIS Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 4f 56y

Act of Innocence (IRE) 6 Gordon & Su Hall Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville

Adonedeal (IRE) 6 Noel Fehily Racing Syndicate - Adonedeal Olly Murphy Sean Bowen

Bossman Jack 6 M W Lake & Exors of the Late N W Lake Dan Skelton

Carlenrig (IRE) 6 Highclere Thoroughbred Racing -Carlenrig Dan Skelton

Country Code (IRE) 6 Mr Eric A. Elliott Ruth Jefferson

Eagles Reprieve (IRE) 5 Ali Kinge & Nicky Hodge Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Fortune Timmy (IRE) 6 A J Pegley Chris Gordon Freddie Gordon

Fresh Perspective 6 The GD Partnership Jamie Snowden

Heads Up 6 Mr Darragh McDonagh John McConnell Ireland

Kazansky (IRE) 6 Damree Developments Ltd Gordon Elliott Ireland

Kicour La (FR) 6 Momentum Bloodstock Partners Ben Pauling Ben Jones

Klimt Madrik (FR) 6 Alex And Janet Card Toby Lawes

Kripticjim (FR) 6 Brocade Racing Joe Tizzard Brendan Powell

Le Beau Madrik (FR) 5 Mr Alan Harte Dan Skelton

Mossy Walsh (IRE) 6 Mr D. Maughan Mickael Seror France

Open Secret 5 Mr Ray Stokes Gordon Elliott Ireland

Spinningayarn (IRE) 6 Robcour Gordon Elliott Ireland

Step Ahead (IRE) 6 Mr P. J. Andrews Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Taurus Bay (IRE) 5 Redknapp and Hill Ben Pauling Ben Jones

The Blue Room (IRE) 6 Bective Stud Olly Murphy Sean Bowen

Thedeviluno (IRE) 7 Youoktodrive Syndicate Paul Nolan Ireland