FEATURE GAVIN CROMWELL
FEATURE GAVIN CROMWELL
we were going there to gain some experience, build on it and go back there the following year. It looked to be a very good renewal of the Champion Hurdle as we had Apple’s Jade, Laurina and Buveur D’Air in there. “It was a complete shock when he passed the post in front and there is no other word for it. It is hard to put into words what it feels like walking back in after winning a race like the Champion Hurdle, as it is very unique. “Winning a championship race like that with Espoir D’Allen took my career to another level.” As much as Espoir D’Allen did wonders for Cromwell’s career, it has arguably been the exploits of Flooring Porter that have really helped thrust his name into the limelight following back-to-back triumphs in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle in 2021 and 2022. And the popular nine-year-old, who made a winning debut over fences at Cheltenham in October, will spearhead Cromwell’s team again after receiving entries in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle and National Hunt Chase.
“It is a wonderful experience for owners to have a runner at Cheltenham, let alone to have a winner. It doesn’t have to be at the Festival either to give an owner a runner there, as there is a wonderful atmosphere for all of the meetings and they thoroughly enjoy it, as do I. “I certainly didn’t predict the number of winners we have had at Cheltenham this season and it has been great, but fingers crossed we are not done yet. The Festival is a totally different scenario. It is nice that we have experienced seven winners there so far this season, but this is a totally different ball game.” While Cromwell is naturally excited about this year’s Cheltenham Festival, given the season he has enjoyed at the track, he still harbours fond memories of the day he secured his breakthrough success at the meeting back with Espoir D’Allen in the 2019 Unibet Champion Hurdle. Cromwell said: “As he was a 16-1 chance, we can’t say we fancied him to win, but we thought he would run a big race, so I was thrilled when he won and it was simply amazing. I thought
“It is a wonderful experience for owners to have a runner at Cheltenham, let alone to have a winner”
more likely to head to the Ultima [Handicap Chase]. He is not going to get a small field this time like when he won at Cheltenham last time, but he will have the blinkers on and hopefully that will help. If he puts his best foot forward he has an each-way chance. “I suppose My Mate Mozzie would have to outrun his mark considerably to be winning an Arkle, so it probably makes more sense to go in the Grand Annual, but he wants nice ground. “He runs well fresh – we are very conscious of that – so it was always the plan to freshen him up for the Festival. I’m not saying he is thrown in, but he looks to be on a reasonable mark. Dinoblue will take a lot of beating in the Mares’ Chase, but Brides Hill and Limerick Lace are good mares in their own right. “You would have to give them each-way chances if they show up, but Brides Hill wouldn’t want it too soft, whereas Limerick Lace would prefer ease in the ground.” While Cromwell has rightly taken plenty of plaudits, he believes that much of the success he has enjoyed at the track this season has been down to the expert rides many of his runners have benefited from with jockey Keith Donoghue. He added: “Keith is a very good rider and he always has been. He is a very good horseman and I’m lucky to have him. He is coming of age now and he has plenty of experience. Hopefully, we can cap a good season at Cheltenham off with a Festival winner.
Cromwell said: “The first day Flooring Porter won there was during Covid and it was unfortunate that the owners couldn’t be there, but it was still amazing to win a Stayers’ Hurdle. To go back the next year and do it again with everybody fresh out of Covid restrictions meant there was such a good buzz. It was fantastic for everybody. “It was great to see Flooring Porter get his head in front again at Cheltenham earlier this season on his debut over fences. He went to Punchestown the next day after winning at Cheltenham, which for him was going the wrong way round going right-handed, as he is just not as effective going that way. “Unfortunately, there was a faller early on and the loose horse went up on his outside. He ran quite well to finish third, as he ran with the choke out for the majority of the race and he was following the loose horse out to the left, so it was far from ideal. “We went to Leopardstown at Christmas and he ran a good race, but he was no match for Grangeclere West. He knows his way around Cheltenham and I don’t think the trip in the National Hunt Chase will be a problem. He is a dour stayer as we saw the last time he ran at Cheltenham. He still has the Stayers’ Hurdle entry and I wouldn’t completely rule that out, but we won’t make a decision until we have to.”
Given what Flooring Porter has already achieved, it would be hard for any of his stablemates to take the limelight away from him should he win at the meeting again. However, in Stumptown, My Mate Mozzie and talented mares Brides Hill and Limerick Lace, Cromwell has assembled a strong supporting cast.
“All in all, I’m delighted with the team that we have and we should have six to eight runners, which will be great. “Flooring Porter would be the best chance of a winner and it would be great if he could give us all another big day again.”
Cromwell said: “Stumptown was beaten by a neck in the Kim Muir last season, but I would say he is
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