It was slow-motion stuff at the end of three miles in the CUBE Handicap Hurdle at Limerick but Notice To Close held on to bring up his hat-trick.

The well supported 5/4 favourite clung on by an ever diminishing length and a quarter for trainer Seamus Neville.

Bold Assasin took the runner-up berth at 14/1 by a neck from Young Dev (17/2).

Jockey Barry John Foley said: "He is very tough and genuine and was thrown in on his chase mark there. I dismounted him after the line as he was distressed after the race but will be fine.

"Fair play to Seamus for giving me the spin on him - I rode a few point-to-point winners for him years ago and Garry Cribbin my agent got me the ride so a big thanks goes to him.

"I was in America for eight months again this year based in Virginia and I had a good season and won the Gold Cup for an Irishman David Burke this year. Normally it's worth €100,000 but because of covid it was only worth €25,000 but it was great to win it.

"I'm back a month and ride out for Michael Winters, Eugene O'Sullivan, Paul O'Flynn and Declan Queally."

Notice To Close was following up on chase victories at Cork and Clonmel.

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes