Flooring Porter© Photo Healy Racing
Flooring Porter galloped his rivals into submission in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle.
Winner of a Navan handicap in early December, Flooring Porter graduated to Grade One level with victory in Leopardstown’s Christmas Hurdle and he confirmed his position at the top of the staying ranks with a dominant display.
Ridden by Danny Mullins after regular partner Jonathan Moore gave up the ride on the morning of the race, Gavin Cromwell’s charge assumed control from the moment the tapes went up and Flooring Porter kept pulling out more in front.
Defending champion Lisnagar Oscar was an early faller, leaving Sire Du Berlais and gallant favourite Paisley Park to chase home the winner.
However, they were no match, with Flooring Porter winning by three and a quarter lengths.
Flooring Porter should have been ridden by Moore, but a recent fall left him facing a race against time to be fit.
He had a sit on his proposed big-race mount, but declared himself unfit and recommended Mullins to Cromwell.
Cromwell praised the selflessness of Moore and said: “It was a huge performance and a smashing ride. It was a big blow for Jonathan, he made the decision himself that he wouldn’t do the horse justice.
“He suggested Danny would be suited to the horse and it was all down to Jonny’s instructions.
“Hats off to Johnny, he’s so unselfish — he thought he wouldn’t do the horse justice, so I’m very grateful. He actually sat on him.”
Cromwell had mentioned prior to the Festival he was worried about the fact there was no rail the whole way round, as Flooring Porter has lugged left in the past. But there were no signs of any misdemeanours.
“He ran straight and true today, bar going right at the last. Other than that he was grand,” said Cromwell.
“He won a Grade B handicap at Navan when it wasn’t the plan to make the running. He decided on his tactics so we went along with it.
“We won the Champion Hurdle a few years ago so to win another championship race is fantastic.
“The owners are a syndicate from Galway, they are a great bunch and it’s an awful pity they can’t be here.
“Everybody knows how hard it is to get a good horse. We came across this lad by accident, he was a very cheap store so it’s a bit of a fairytale really — it just goes to show dreams can still happen.”
Mullins said: “It was fantastic. He’s a very good horse. I got the call-up about an hour beforehand and in fairness to Jonathan Moore he gave me every bit of information he had about the horse.
“Credit to him. He knew he wasn’t in good shape this morning and stood himself down — it’s the mark of a great man.
“Jonathan wanted everything to go well and I’m sure he’ll be back for Punchestown and well able to reunite the partnership.
“It’s fantastic to get my first winner on the board at Cheltenham, in a Grade One as well.
“I know there’s no crowd here, but I’m really enjoying it that’s for sure.”
