'We'll take on Honeysuckle now' - Donoghue keen on Fairyhouse clash with Darver

Tuesday: Punchestown

Darver Star gave Honeysuckle one of the biggest frights of her life when getting within half a length of the superstar mare in the Irish Champion Hurdle in 2020 and jockey Keith Donoghue is keen to have another crack at her in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse in early December.

The rejuvenated Darver Star made it three wins on the bounce in the feature Paddy Power Feel Like A Favourite Hurdle but there was a sad postscript to the race as three-time Grade 1 winner Abacadabras picked up a career-ending injury and was pulled up.

The 2021 Aintree Hurdle winner, who got within a head of Shishkin in the previous year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle, was 4-6 favourite but lost his action before three out and Gordon Elliott reported him to be extremely lame afterwards.

The trainer said: "He's very, very lame. We'll see how he is but I'd say that will probably be his last appearance on a racecourse. He's been a terrific horse over the years and there will definitely be a home for him at Cullentra, that's for sure."

The absence of Abacadabras at the business end made the task a lot easier for Darver Star, who coasted clear under Donoghue to win by seven lengths from Dollar Value.

Donoghue pointed Darver Star in the direction of Fairyhouse afterwards, saying: "I'd say Gavin [Cromwell] will aim high now and take on Honeysuckle in the Hatton's Grace. He pushed her to half a length before and he'll be going in there a fit horse with his confidence high.

"Don't get me wrong, Honeysuckle is unbelievable and if we finish second to her we'll be delighted. I can't wait, I love a Grade 1 especially at a County Meath track."

He added: "He was brilliant. He lost his form a bit but he's coming back now and that was a great performance today. He was at his minimum trip today, as he's getting older he doesn't have the same gears. He likes to take you along but the whole way I was just going as quick as I wanted.

"I was cautious about letting Dollar Value off because I'd won twice on him before and I thought he was my danger in the race. When I came off the home bend, he came on to the bridle and he was away with me."

Correspondent set for Cheltenham

The Paddy Power "Don't Mind The Flat, The Jumps Are Back" 3-Y-O Hurdle was won by subsequent Triumph Hurdle winner Quilixios in 2020 and War Correspondent made it back-to-back wins in the race for trainer Ray Cody, who sent out Bell Ex One to land the spoils last year.

The 7-2 shot took full advantage of a stumble on landing at the back of the last hurdle from favourite Bridgehead and battled to a half-length win under Rachael Blackmore.

War Correspondent could next be seen at Cheltenham's November meeting.

Cody said: "Rachael said he must have some engine given how keen he was. She said he can only improve. She thought after a couple of hurdles he was just too keen. All that will come to him, he's just a big raw baby.

"The plan in the back of my head, if he won today, was to go to either Fairyhouse or Cheltenham for the November meeting. I won this last year with Bell Ex One and he was meant to go to Cheltenham, but got ringworm. This lad might go there."

Paddy Power gave War Correspondent a first quote of 50-1 for the Triumph Hurdle.

Double for promising Byrnes

The promising Philip Byrnes helped himself to a quickfire 34-1 double thanks to Gaius and Grozni, the latter trained by his father Charles who sent out Run For Oscar to win the Cesarewitch at Newmarket last Saturday.

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