Flooring Porter's display makes it a memorable Listowel meeting for Cromwell and Donoghue

What a few days for Gavin Cromwell. His stable star - the Dual Stayers' Hurdle hero Flooring Porter - gave an outstanding display to secure an impressive victory in the Guinness Kerry National at Listowel yesterday.

Floorling Star was belatedly switched to fences last season before reverting back to the smaller obstacles and finishing second in his bid for a Stayers' Hurdle hat-trick at Prestbury Park in March.

The nine-year-old was well beaten on his return from a break in a handicap chase at Killarney in July, but he was in top form again in Listowel under Keith Donoghue.

"What do you say, it's brilliant. He went hard and I have to say I was praying for him across every fence on the last circuit," said Cromwell.

Sent straight to the lead from the off, Flooring Porter jumped consistently well to put plenty of daylight between him and the rest.

Asked if he feared his charge might slow down once out in front Cromwell added: "No, that wasn't a worry, I was just afraid that he might just miss one or something.

"He was in serious shape. When he gets into that rhythm there is no stopping him, he'll just keep it going.

"Keith said he was just a passenger, he couldn't go any slower! What do you do, just try to meet the jumps the best you can.

"This has been the plan since Cheltenham basically. We can always go back over hurdles as well but I don't know where we go next. It's a brilliant race to win and we'll enjoy this.

"He's been a horse of a lifetime, for me and for the syndicate."