Cheltenham News

Mullins claims first Festival win

Jockey Danny Mullins has secured his first Cheltenham Festival victory after steering Flooring Porter home in Thursday’s Stayers’ Hurdle.

Mullins was only handed the ride after Flooring Porter’s regular jockey, Jonathan Moore, was forced to step aside following a nasty fall at Naas on Sunday.

However, the change in rider did not affect the winning six-year-old, who led from the front and was able to beat Sire Du Berlais into second place, while Paisley Park, who won the race in 2019, was third.

The victory was extra special for Mullins, as it was his first at the Festival following five runner-up finishes in the past, but he was quick to divert all the praise to Moore, who he feels deserved to be in the saddle.

“He’s a proper, good horse,” Mullins was quoted as saying by the Racing Post. “It was a late spare ride for me and it should be Jonathan Moore you should be talking to.

“He lost the ride this morning and he gave me every bit of information after the horse. Johnny is the man who did all the work and all the team at (trainer) Gavin Cromwell’s.

“To win a Grade 1 is great. I’ve probably giving horses who have been beaten better rides than I gave this one.”