Darver Star returned to winning ways in impressive style at Punchestown on New Year's Eve.
Part-owned by Irish Lotto winner Simon Fagan, the ten-year-old, who was third behind Epatante in the 2020 Champion Hurdle, looked much happier back over hurdles having struggled over fences of late.
He coasted home 20 lengths clear of the remainder for jockey Keith Donoghue and trainer Gavin Cromwell.
“He just grew in confidence as the race developed. The further he went the better his jumping got,” said Cromwell.
“The ability was always there and his work was great at home. Maybe we shouldn’t have stayed chasing as long as we did.
“I put blinkers on him and schooled him because we had him in the Paddy Power and he jumped brilliant. Then a horse fell in front of him and he got mowed out of it. Thankfully Keith (Donoghue) had the sense to pull him up.
“The Galmoy Hurdle might be a possibility and if not the Boyne Hurdle.
“I’m delighted for the boys as it’s been a frustrating 18 months.”
Connections will be dreaming of more big race wins for Darver Star given how impressively he won at Punchestown.
Fagan pocketed €3.6million from his 2013 jackpot win and owns the horse with his friends Pat Cluskey and Sean Fanning.
The horse is named after the Louth village of Darver and runs in the red and white GAA colours of the Wee County.
Previously speaking on his lotto win, Fagan said: "Everybody knows my success story with the lottery in 2013. I didn't allow it to change my life in any shape or form.
"I continued on just as normal, I still continue on as normal.
"I don't boast about it. I go about as I did beforehand. It's good to have the money there, you can do as you please."
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