Punchestown report: Darver Star back in business

'It’s great to have the old Darver back,' enthused a relieved Gavin Cromwell. 'The ability has always been there'

Darver Star and Keith Donoghue win the Tote+ Pays You More On Tote.ie Hurdle at Punchestown. Picture: Healy Racing

Darver Star, third to Epatante in the 2020 Champion Hurdle, registered his first win since October of that year, when bolting-up under Keith Donoghue in the featured Tote Pays You More On Tote.ie Hurdle at Punchestown’s traditional New Year’s Eve meeting.

The Gavin Cromwell-trained nine-year-old, pulled-up, having been badly hampered at the first in the Paddy Power Chase last Monday, mastered odds-on favourite Cilaos Emery before the second last flight and powered clear to triumph by 20 lengths, with Home By The Lee coming through to take second spot.