Gavin Cromwell looked to have a strong hand in the opening day highlight at Killarney and he scooped the prize with the front-running Darver Star in the €50,000 Larkins Pub, Restaurant, B&B Handicap Hurdle.

The money came for the eventual winner's stable-mate Duchess Ravewaves in the two-mile-one contest but the 2/1 favourite could only mange sixth in the end while the yard's other runner Ejayteekay was a faller at the first.

Darver Star dominated from the front, under Jonathan Moore, and shook off the attentions of Conron going to the last flight.

The Kalanisi gelding galloped on strongly in the closing stages to post a five-length victory as Wait Here stayed on to take second.

The 13/2 winner was following up on an easy victory at Downpatrick which had saw him raised a stone in the ratings.

"After he won the last day I rang Sandy Shaw (handicapper) to tell him he had been very hard on him and had it out with him but have to apologise now. I didn't think he was that good so I'm obviously delighted,” said Cromwell.

"I can't wait until he jumps a fence, he'll be a lovely horse over fences and please god he stays right and he'll go chasing shortly.

"He doesn't want knee-deep ground and doesn't want it too soft but will race away for the winter."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)