The Flooring Porter Syndicate and connections celebrate after winning last year’s Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. Picture: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

A horse with strong County Roscommon connections will bid for a Cheltenham hat-trick at the famous racing festival this afternoon (Thursday).

Flooring Porter will line up for the Grade One Paddy Powers Stayers’ Hurdle at 3.30 p.m., and despite an uncertain season, there are high hopes that the eight-year-old can reproduce his best form when it matters.

Flooring Porter is trained by Gavin Cromwell and owned by a syndicate that includes father and son Tommy and Alan Sweeney from Creagh, former owners of the Country Man Inn Pub in Creagh which is nestled in the heart of Padraig Pearses GAA Club.

A proven stayer, Flooring Porter is out of Yates, an Ascot Gold Cup winner and Lilymile.

Despite facing stiff competition and an uncertain season so far, there are sure to be emotional scenes if Flooring Porter can emulate Roscommon horse, Montelado, who also won two races at the famed mecca of National Hunt Racing.

Flooring Porter after winning last year’s Stayers’ Hurdle. Picture: INPHO/Dan Sheridan