Gavin Cromwell was quick to insist that the ‘engine is still there’ inside dual Stayers’ Hurdle winner Flooring Porter, who made an instant impact on his first start over fences at Cheltenham on Saturday.

While not quite receiving the rapturous reception he received for his two Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle triumphs at the 2021 and 2022 Cheltenham Festivals the popular eight-year-old was still given a warm welcome back to what has been a happy hunting ground following his latest success.

Partnered by Keith Donoghue for the first time the easy to back 6/4 favourite sat in second during the early stages of the extended three-mile contest before assuming his customary front running role after the seventh fence.

Once in command the gelded son of Yeats never looked in any danger of defeat after looking assured at the majority of fences under a confident looking Donoghue.

Although Broadway Boy, one of two runners in the race for trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, attempted to throw down a big challenge on the run to the last it was not to be as Flooring Porter quickened clear, having jumped the final fence well, to score by an eased down two and a half lengths.

Cromwell said: “I’m delighted. He jumped really well, apart from a few ditches. First time over fences, and to do it from the front, it was a good performance.

“I know on ratings he was a good bit above the others in the race, but you still have to be happy with the way he has jumped. He did everything right and won well.

“He is a high-profile horse, and maybe not as high profile as he was, but there is always added pressure. He is very dear to us all and it is always nervous times.

“We briefly spoke about it (going chasing) at the back end of last season, and we did give him a jump before he went out and here we are.

“I thought he could so that, but I’m just delighted that he has done it. He went to the top of the hill very well which is great to see the engine is still there.

“It was a case of seeing how we get on today and then we will map a course. He will have to step up plenty, but obviously has the scope to with his hurdle rating.

“I don’t see why not (that he couldn’t match his hurdle form). He is not a very big horse, but he doesn’t jump like a small horse. He has plenty of scope and jumps really well.

“He is a little bit limited in the fact he is much better going left-handed so that is always an option (to come back here again).”

De Bromhead double

Earlier on the card trainer Henry de Bromhead celebrated his 51st birthday with two winners, Dancing On My Own and The Real Whacker.

Dancing On My Own secured a tenacious success in the opening handicap chase, the nine-year-old given a great ride by Rachael Blackmore.

Racing front throughout the two-mile contest the gelded son of Milan, who struck gold at Aintree last April, found himself locked in a battle with favourite, and long-time leader, Haddex Des Obeaux on the run to the last.

However, the complexion of the race changed after Haddex Des Obeaux parted company with Jamie Moore at the last leaving Dancing My Own with a healthy advantage on the final climb to the line.

Although the staying on Triple Trade attempted to mount a challenge in the closing strides he could not quite get on terms with Dancing On My Own prevailing by two lengths.

De Bromhead said of the 14/1 winner: “He is some horse, and he is such a warrior. Rachael was brilliant on him, and he has toughed it out well to win with near top weight. I’m delighted for the Sean and Bernardine Mulryan (owners).

“He was good at Aintree in the spring, but to do that today off the weight he was carrying was very impressive. I think he ran well in fairness behind Easy Game at Listowel.

“He is a super horse and we are absolutely delighted.”

With Dancing On My Own scoring off a mark of 151 the Irish handler hinted that a step up to Grade 2 company for a tilt at the Shloer Chase at the track on November 19th could be on the agenda.

De Bromhead added: “We will see what we do next but he could come back here for the Shloer Chase, although that is reading like a very good race. He probably has a preference for going left-handed though.

“We will see what we do next as today was the plan so we will enjoy that. He was brilliant and we are delighted. It always helps having a winner on your birthday.”

Waterford party

There is likely to be a big party back at the The Strand Inn in Dunmore East when connections of Whacker Clan arrive back to Co Waterford after the tenacious gelding turned his syndicate’s dream of having a Cheltenham winner into reality in the staying handicap chase.

Owned by a syndicate made of 39 family members the Henry de Bromhead-trained seven-year-old pulled out all the stops in the three miles and one furlong contest to secure a victory that connections described as one that has made their year.

Having been out in front from the flag fall the son of Westerner looked set to be collared by eventual runner-up Twig, who moved up onto his shoulders after the final fence having worked his way quietly into contention.

However, it was not to be as the 12/1 chance found more when required under Darragh O’Keeffe before taking victory by three lengths to give triumphant trainer de Bromhead a 194/1 double following the success of Dancing On My Own in the opener.

Louise Foyle, of the Whacker’s Clan Syndicate, said: “We’ve been coming here for years and to come here and own a horse by all our family, is great.

“Our uncle John Halley brought the horse from Tipperary in honour of our grandmother who was nicknamed Whacker.

“There are 12 of us here today but in total there are 31 grandchildren and eight uncles and aunts. We all love racing, and we love a party. It has made our year to have a winner at Cheltenham. We could not be happier.

“Our family business is The Stand Inn in Dunmore East. Henry is our local trainer and a good family friend so we wouldn’t give the horse to anyone but him.

“He ran at Tramore, and won in Tramore. It was not a super-hot race so we didn’t expect too much here in a Class 2. We didn’t have our hopes super high but he has given us some hope and joy egging him on.

“One hundred per cent this is our biggest success. That is the dream to come back here for the Festival but we will wait to see what Henry says as he is the boss.”

Looking further along the line de Bromhead earmarked the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase back at the Cheltenham Festival as a possible target.

De Bromhead added: “That was brilliant, and I’m delighted with that. He is really hardy, and it was a super ride from Darragh (O’Keeffe) and he stays really well. He gave him a brilliant ride and he was able to slow it up all the way around. He was super on him.

“I kind of felt once we got over the last we would stay, but whether he would stay well enough who knows, but he really battled then in fairness to him. He doesn’t do much in front.

“He is just progressing in fairness to him. He is a hardy fellow. It is great he has shown form around here and there is a chance he might get into a Kim Muir in time. He has been busy, so we will back off him fairly soon.”