Flooring Porter well clear on the run-in© Photo Healy Racing
Flooring Porter absolutely routed the opposition in the €90,000 Grade B Handicap Hurdle in Navan.
Jonathan Moore sent him into an early lead in this extended three mile staying test and the duo moved a healthy six lengths clear after six out.
He jumped the fourth last well but the field were bunching in behind as they cut into his advantage.
Swinging into the straight, a whole host of challengers were on his heels, however, the leader hugged the rail and had them on the stretch running to the penultimate flight.
He jumped that hurdle slickly and was pushed clear by Moore coming to the last. As racecourse commentator Jerry Hannon said, he totally ignored the last but was well in charge as he powered home by 12 lengths at 22/1. The Bosses Oscar the 3/1 favourite, came in a remote second by a neck from De Name Escapes Me (22/1). Each-way punters received a dividend from fourth-placed Lady Breffni (5/1 from 8/1).
Gavin Cromwell said: “It wasn’t the plan to make the running. He has his own ideas about things and can force his way to the front. In fairness he relaxed lovely when he got there and jumped away brilliant.
“He got a freebie, got to fill him up everywhere and was able to do his own thing from the front.
“He won too far from a handicapping point of view but it’s great to win a pot like that. He’s definitely better going left-handed as well.
“The handicapper is going to have his say now. I don’t know where he’ll go from here but considering he only cost five grand he’s more than paid for himself!
“He will go chasing but probably not until next year.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
