Flooring Porter made all under Danny Mullins to land Gavin Cromwell the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle in stunning fashion at Cheltenham.
It was a chance ride for Mullins after the winner's regular jockey Jonathan Moore was injured in a fall at Naas on Sunday, but he grasped his opportunity with both hands after another superb ride from the front.
He had a willing partner in Flooring Porter, who managed to maintain a fierce gallop throughout, with previous Festival winners Sire Du Berlais and Paisley Park beaten into second and third respectively.
Flooring Porter was too good, though, by three and a quarter lengths.
"I just had to steer this one, it's special," said Mullins.
RESULT: 3.05 Cheltenham - Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle
1st FLOORING PORTER (12/1)
2nd Sire Du Berlais 5/1
3rd Paisley Park 9/4
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Moore, who said he was “too sore” to ride following a fall, accompanied the horse back into the winner’s enclosure.
Mullins said: “He’s a proper good horse. It was a late spare ride for me, but the man down there (Moore) is the one you want to be talking to. He lost the ride this morning, gave me every bit of information he had about the horse and I had a simple job.
“I knew about an hour beforehand, that’s the man that’s done all the work, and the team at Cromwell’s.
“It’s fantastic, to win a Grade One is great as well. I’m lucky enough, I rode a very good horse today. I’ve probably given horses that were beaten better rides, I just had to steer this one. It’s special.”
Moore added: “I’m delighted for the horse, I knew Leopardstown was no fluke and I gave Danny as much information as I could. Danny gave him a great ride and he’s been a great horse for the Flooring Porter syndicate – what a great story.
“I’m just so proud of the horse, to show what he’s able to do.
“I know this lad’s got a massive engine, I rode him this morning and I was too sore, so I said ‘I’ll never do this horse justice’. I said to Gavin ‘go put Danny Mullins on this horse’s back and he’ll win’. I know how good this horse is and that was not a surprise to me.”
