3 minute read

Gavin Cromwell’s excellent opening Cheltenham meeting continued when stable star Flooring Porter made a successful chasing debut in the William Hill Lengthen Your Odds Novices' Chase.

The dual Cheltenham Festival Stayers' Hurdle hero was sent off the 6/4 favourite to beat his three rivals at Prestbury Park this afternoon and Keith Donoghue, who was getting on board to replace regular rider Danny Mullins for the first time, was keen to make plenty of use of his proven stamina.

Although there were a couple of mistakes down the back straight on the second circuit, the eight-year-old jumped well on the whole on his first outing over the larger obstacles, taking a clear advantage with a good leap over the seventh flight. Nigel Twiston-Davies' pair Broadway Boy and Weveallbeencaught were always close enough to lay down a challenge if good enough but the classy hurdler Flooring Porter, who was officially rated 23lb and upward superior to his rivals, had plenty to spare up the Cheltenham hill and pulled away readily to score by two and half lengths.

Broadway Boy [4/1] got the better of stablemate Weveallbeencaught [11/4] to fill the second spot, with Toss Again trailing home a well-beaten last of four.

Cromwell said: "I'm delighted. He jumped really well, apart from a few ditches. First time over fences, and to do it from the front, it was a good performance.

"I know on ratings he was a good bit above the others in the race, but you still have to be happy with the way he has jumped. He did everything right and won well.

"He is a high-profile horse, and maybe not as high profile as he was, but there is always added pressure. He is very dear to us all and it is always nervous times.

"We briefly spoke about it [going chasing] at the back end of last season, and we did give him a jump before he went out and here we are.

"I thought he could so that, but I'm just delighted that he has done it. He went to the top of the hill very well which is great to see the engine is still there.

"It was a case of seeing how we get on today and then we will map a course. He will have to step up plenty but obviously has the scope to with his hurdle rating.

"I don't see why not [that he couldn't match his hurdle form]. He is not a very big horse, but he doesn't jump like a small horse. He has plenty of scope and jumps really well.

"He is a little bit limited in the fact he is much better going left-handed so that is always an option [to come back here again]."