‘I’m so proud of the horse for showing everyone what he can do’: spare ride ends in Cheltenham Festival Stayers’ Hurdle victory

CHELTENHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Flooring Porter ridden by Danny Mullins clears the last to win the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1) during Day Three of the Cheltenham Festival 2021 at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 18, 2021 in Cheltenham, England. Sporting venues around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit spectators inside venues resulting in events being held behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Flooring Porter was relentless when leading from start to finish to take this afternoon’s Grade One Stayers’ Hurdle on day three of the Cheltenham Festival.

The six-year-old, trained by Gavin Cromwell and owned by the Flooring Porter Syndicate, powered up the hill under Danny Mullins, for whom this was a first Cheltenham Festival victory. But Danny only got the call-up to ride the son of Yeats earlier today after his usual jockey Jonathan Moore stood himself down following a fall he took at Naas on Sunday (14 March) which left him with an injured back.

“I took the decision while riding Flooring Porter this morning and I couldn’t stand up in my stirrups, so I concluded it wouldn’t be fair on the horse if I wasn’t 100%,” said Jonathan, who has partnered this horse on all five previous winning starts. “I’m delighted for the horse and I gave Danny as much information as I could prior to the race. I’m so proud of the horse for showing everyone what he can do.”

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Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.

‘I’m so proud of the horse for showing everyone what he can do’: spare ride ends in Cheltenham Festival Stayers’ Hurdle victory

Danny Mullins was self-deprecating when analysing his win: “This is a proper good horse. It is fantastic to win and for it to be a Grade One too, but I just had to steer this one — it’s special to win here,” he said.

“It’s such a shame the owners can’t be here, but that was a massive performance by Flooring Porter — he’s got a huge engine,” said Gavin Cromwell. “I just feel terrible for Jonathan — it was a huge call for him to make in not riding the horse.”

Sire Du Berlais finished three-and-a-quarter lengths behind Flooring Porter under Mark Walsh for Denise Foster. Favourite and previous winner of this race Paisley Park finished in eventual third under Aidan Coleman for trainer Emma Lavelle.

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