'Horse of a lifetime' Flooring Porter pulverises Kerry National field with astonishing performance

Flooring Porter left a staggering trail of destruction behind him as he blasted around Listowel to record an astonishing victory in the Kerry National, with the dual Stayers' Hurdle hero adding another remarkable triumph to his ever-evolving CV for trainer Gavin Cromwell.

It was meant to be one of the most competitive runnings of the €200,000 three-mile contest in recent times but it soon threatened to turn into a procession as jockey Keith Donoghue built up a dozen-length lead on the habitual front-runner as they passed the winning post for the second time.

From there he pressed on relentlessly, thundering further clear with every fence he devoured. As he approached the third-last, the vast majority of his rivals were waving the white flag, while the leader's onslaught showed no signs of abating.

He fiddled over the third from home, handing a glimmer of hope to his rivals that he was approaching the end of his tether. But that glimmer soon dissipated as he zipped around the bend with the type of verve not usually associated with the closing stages of a staying handicap on soft ground.

Flooring Porter and Keith Donoghue on their way to winning the Kerry NationalCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

After getting a bit low at the penultimate obstacle, he produced a spectacular leap at the last to come home four and a quarter lengths in front under a virtually motionless Donoghue at odds of 6-1. The Willie Mullins-trained Horantzau D'Airy emerged from the clouds in the straight and valiantly chased him home, while there was a 13-length gap back to Lucid Dreams from the John Ryan stable.

It was an absolute demolition job from the nine-year-old who, off 11st 4lb, carried the second-highest weight to victory since 2006.

The enclosure was a scene of unbridled jubilation as the winning syndicate serenaded their pride and joy with "there's only one Flooring Porter" in between hoisting Donoghue and then Cromwell on to their shoulders.

"What can you say?" said Cromwell after being safely returned to a level surface. "It's brilliant. He obviously went hard and I was praying him across every fence on the last circuit. He just kept the revs up and it was a brilliant performance. 

Gavin Cromwell is hoisted aloft by jubilant members of the Flooring Porter syndicateCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"I was afraid he maybe might miss one, but once he gets into that rhythm there's just no stopping him and he keeps going. Keith said he was just a passenger and couldn't go any slower. He just tried to meet the jumps as best he could and the horse was very good."

Cromwell went on to describe him as "the horse of a lifetime for me and the syndicate" and if there is any horse in training who deserves such a title, it is Flooring Porter. Since landing a handicap hurdle at Cork off a mark of 105 in October 2019, he has landed three Grade 1s and become a fans' favourite owing to his courageous efforts from the front.

Flooring Porter had three starts over fences last season before connections opted for another crack at the Stayers' Hurdle, in which he performed with huge credit in chasing home Teahupoo. The Kerry National plan was hatched soon after and was teed up with an effort over an inadequate trip in July after a small break, once again showcasing the trainer's phenomenal ability to target a race.

Flooring Porter is front and centre of the post-race celebrationsCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Paddy Power elected to not alter his odds for a third Stayers' Hurdle in March, with his odds remaining unchanged at 20-1. 

Cromwell was non-committal regarding what route Flooring Porter would go down given the Listowel highlight had been the long-term objective, but he was sure about one thing: "This is a brilliant race to win and we'll enjoy it. I wouldn't say he's finished with yet." 

Not for catching: how Flooring Porter streaked clear in the Kerry National

After leading virtually from the off, Flooring Porter really begins to stretch clear from The Real Whacker and the rest approaching the seventh fence

By the time Flooring Porter approaches the third-last a yawning gap has opened up to those chasing in vainCredit: Racing TV

Rounding the home turn the lead is even bigger, with those at the back of the pack seriously strugglingCredit: Racing TV

Horantzau D'Airy tries valiantly to peg back Flooring Porter but is still more than four lengths behind at the finishCredit: Racing TV

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