Flooring Porter pulls off stunning all the way win in Stayers Hurdle but heartbreak for favourite Paisley Park
FLOORING PORTER pulled off a masterstroke with a stunning all the way win in the Stayers' Hurdle.
Super-sub Danny Mullins came in for the spare of all spares with jockey Jonathan Moore cruelly ruled-out only an HOUR before the race.
Moore admitted he was not fit enough to take the ride but was there to greet the winners as they crossed the line and lead him back in after the race.
For much of the race eyes were drawn to favourite Paisley Park and the Denise Foster pair of Sire Du Berlais and Fury Road.
The trio all loomed ominously entering the long straight, but the 12-1 Gavin Cromwell-trained winner was not for catching.
Jumping the last he even thought about heading for another lap, but a slap from Mullins and he was on his way into the history books.
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The Paisley Park camp had no excuses, but the Irish domination continued with the raiders filling three of the first four places.
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 1 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.
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"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."
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