Darver Star has earned his place in next month’s Unibet Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham after a sterling effort to finish second in the Irish equivalent at Leopardstown.

Trainer Gavin Cromwell, who sent out the ill-fated Espoir D’Allen to lift the two-mile showpiece in 2019, believes the eight-year-old deserves to take his chance on the back of his performance on Saturday.

Staying on strongly from the final flight, Darver Star snatched the runner-up spot from Petit Mouchoir close home and got within half a length of the 8-11 favourite Honeysuckle at the line.

“He’s come out of the race well,” said Cromwell.

“We were delighted with the run. It was a good solid performance.

“He stayed on really well – so please God, we’ll go forward. He’s in the Champion Hurdle, and if all remains well he can hopefully go there.”

Darver Star was a late starter to the racing game, having his first run only in December 2018, but he has gone from strength – particularly this season, with four wins on the bounce.

That winning run came to an end in the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse in December, but he was a creditable third to Envoi Allen that day – and backed that up with an even better display at the weekend.