Paco Jack the final winner trained by now retired Joe Crowley at Galway in August 2009, himself rolled back the years at Punchestown today, winning the Paddy & Anthony Powell Memorial Handicap Hurdle for new trainer Philip Rothwell.

The son of Soviet Star was himself without a win since in subsequent 16 runs and Rothwell later stated “Paco Jack had everything wrong with him and came to me 18 months ago.

“He has been a write off on a number of occasions but the owner (Christopher Beirne) has a real love for him and has been fantastically patient. He had holes in both two hind suspensory ligaments, had two wind operations and bled as well.

“He had run some good races and while he had all these problems, I told him he would win today if the ground wasn’t too heavy for him - it was almost unreaceable at Tramore tha last day. He travels well in his races but his wind can catch him out – he now looks a very well handicapped horse over hurdles.”