Summerville Boy put on a classy display as he won for the first time since 2020 at Thurles on Saturday.
Summerville Boy hadn't claimed a single victory since winning at Aintree in November over two years ago. In fact, he was last seen coming home a distant second to subsequent Stayers' Hurdle runner-up Teahupoo in the Galmoy Hurdle at the end of January.
Dropped down in company for the End Of The Season Hurdle, the 4/1 shot appeared to up against it with Asterion Forlonge, who was having his first run since finishing seventh in the 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Asterion Forlonge was the favourite but his lack of fitness was obvious when Rachael Blackmore went for home on the front-running Summerville Boy and the now 11-year-old kept on strongly to win by four and a half lengths.
Blackmore said: "He had been doing things nicely, had been schooling well and were hoping to get a day like that out of him.
"My lad is a lot fitter (than Asterion Forlonge) so had that on his side and that was a help."
Blackmore and De Bromhead enjoyed two Grade One winners at the Cheltenham Festival with Envoi Allen claiming Thursday's Ryanair Chase, but Honeysuckle's victory in the Mares' Hurdle on Tuesday was arguably the highlight of the week.
The dual Champion Hurdle winner bowed out in style with a fourth Festival strike and Blackmore was delighted to see immensely popular runner bow out on a high.
She added: "It was an incredible week and Tuesday was a day I'll never forget.
"That feeling from the very top of the chute, the whole way back in, the whole way back around into the winner's enclosure, with the masses of crowds all looking at her, was incredible.
"Every letter I get in the post from kids mentions Honeysuckle, so there are a lot of people cheering me on and I'm delighted for everyone that we delivered on Tuesday. In this sport it doesn't always happen, so it is fantastic.
"I was feeling the pressure on the build-up and you wouldn't be human if you weren't feeling it but it is a class position to be in. She was really on song and it is a big thanks to the team and to Henry."
