Darasso and Stattler score Graded wins at Naas

Darasso made the most of a drop in grade to lower the colours of the hot favourite Saint Felicien in the BetVictor Limestone Lad Hurdle at Naas.

A Grade Two winner at Navan in November and fourth to Honeysuckle in the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse on his latest start, the Joseph O’Brien-trained nine-year-old gave weight to his five rivals in admirable fashion.

Felix Desjy set the pace until the penultimate flight where his Gordon Elliott stablemate Saint Felicien took over.

However, the 4-5 shot could not ward off the attentions of Darasso, who pulled away to score by three and a quarter lengths under Mark Walsh in the colours of JP McManus.

Darasso’s victory denied Saint Felicien’s jockey Robbie Power a triumphant return on his first ride since suffering multiple injuries in a fall at Tramore in October.

Darasso comes through to pass Saint Felicien jumping the last and goes on to win the @BetVictorRacing Limestone Lad Hurdle! An admirable horse for @JosephOBrien2 and Mark Walsh