Flooring Porter seals back to back Stayers’ Hurdle victories under Cheltenham Festival pressure

Flooring Porter may have had a few names called about him in the past but he was on his best behaviour when securing back-to-back renewals of the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (3:30).

Much talk had concerned his ability to handle the preliminaries but the massed crowds on day three of the Cheltenham Festival, but it mattered not to him today as he repeated last year’s success under a masterful ride from Danny Mullins.

Mullins was able to control the fractions from the top and this was to prove crucial.

Stacking up the racing rivals with two to jump, there were plenty of chances but the seven-year-old kept on relentlessly to the line to secure the Grade 1 prize at odds of 4/1.

Thyme Hill stuck on for pressure to grab second as the evergreen Paisley Park hit his traditional flatspot before closing down on the leaders as they were in the shadows of the post.

A delighted rider told ITV Racing: “Everything went to plan and a big credit has to go to Gavin Cromwell (trainer). I love the horse but he’s quirky and his training is the reason why we are back here today again.

“I wasn’t too worried about the preliminaries, the more he gets into the season the less gas is in his system. Gavin brought him over early and we were very happy with him this morning. We believed in him.”

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