Betterask Jj made light of an absence of almost a year when powering home to take the first division of the extended two mile five handicap hurdle in Punchestown.

He stayed on from a long way back to jump the last in fourth place. He sprawled upon landing but was soon on an even keel for Ambrose McCurtin and ran on very powerfully to strike the front inside the final 150 yards.

He won going away by five and a half lengths at 33/1 for John Joe Walsh. The minor places were occupied by Steelers Appeal (16/1), Wee Small Hours at 28/1 and 7/2 favourite A Different World in fourth.

Jockey Ambrose McCurtin said: “They went a good gallop, he travelled and jumped well and stayed at it well. You'd be delighted with how well he hit the line.

“He's a good stayer and hopefully he might win another one.

“I'm delighted for the owners. They lost a horse in Limerick, Brouder, who was a very good horse for us. We got this horse for them, it's his first run for them.

“The Joyces are lovely people so it's nice to get a winner for them.”

The Stewards interviewed A. McCurtin, rider of Betterask Jj, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted that he was in breach of the regulation and apologised for his actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were satisfied that A. McCurtin was in breach of Regulation 10.3.g, excessive frequency. Having considered his record in this regard the Stewards suspended A. McCurtin for seven racedays.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson