Our Eric shrugged aside a 244 day absence to land the Ballynoe Stables Pre Cheltenham Handicap Hurdle under Barry Cash at Limerick.

Three times a winner already, the Tidaro ten-year-old led after two out and he went on to dispense with Colls Corner by seven lengths.

Winning trainer Cecil Ross said: "That was badly needed. He was entitled to beat them and I fancied him a bit. He wasn't giving much weight away and he was coming back into form a bit.

"He was making a big issue of fences so he'll hardly be going over them again.

Everything was in his favour today. He'll probably go for another handicap next."