Familiar foe stands in the way of Honeysuckle's historic Hatton's Grace quest

Darver Star has finished as close to superstar Honeysuckle as any other horse and Gavin Cromwell is looking forward to his rejuvenated star bidding to thwart her quest for a historic fourth Grade 1 Bar One Racing Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday.

Honeysuckle will go one better than Limestone Lad, Solerina and Apple’s Jade should she prevail again, but she faces an old foe who comes into the race on an unbeaten run of his own following a hat-trick at Punchestown, Galway and Kilbeggan.

Darver Star, a 14-1 shot with Hills, was just half a length behind Honeysuckle in the 2020 Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown, setting a trend for three successive starts.