GAVIN CROMWELL: We get reaction from brand ambassador Gavin Cromwell after Flooring Porter’s amazing win in the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham.
It’s pretty hard to put into words what it means to win another championship race at Cheltenham. Flooring Porter put in a special performance in the Stayers’ Hurdle and things couldn’t have gone much better to be honest. We always knew that the performance at Leopardstown was very good, but a few people questioned it saying he got a freebee out in front, but he proved it was no fluke today. He showed them today he’s every inch a Grade 1 horse. He was so slick over his hurdles and just got into a great rhythm out in front. Nothing can live with him at the speed he goes and it was a fantastic performance.
The one negative is obviously that Johnny (Moore) wasn’t in the saddle to ride him. It’s an amazing win, but it’s slightly bittersweet that he wasn’t able to partner him to success. Once he knew he couldn’t ride he said Danny [Mullins] would be the perfect fit for the horse and so that proved. They had a good, long chat before the race and whatever Johnny said to him was clearly the right thing!
It’s quite incredible that our two Cheltenham Festival wins have been in the Champion Hurdle and Stayers’ Hurdle. I’m not sure if that’s ever been done before! When Espoir D’Allen won it was half a shock, but this one is very special and I’m so grateful to the whole team. All the people in the yard work so hard and to have winners like this is a real credit to them.
