Hurricane Darwin proved his versatility when staying on late to claim Division ll of the Kathleen Walsh Memorial Handicap Hurdle at Listowel.

A winner of a Cross Country race over the banks at Punchestown last time, the 12-year-old coped admirably with this drop back in trip.

Looking as though he would do well to reach the placings turning for home, the Cormac Farrell-trained veteran sprouted wings from that point and powered home under Simon Cavanagh for a deserved success.

Cavanagh said; "I thought the trip might be short for him but credit to Cormac who has done a good job with him and has brought him back fresh. I thought we were in a lot of trouble going down the back straight, when he was flat out, but in fairness to him he kept finding for me.

"I'm delighted to get this festival winner as my dad had a winner here as an owner a few years ago and to come back and do this is brilliant. Thanks to Cormac for giving me these chances."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes