Difficult Decision maintained a hot streak for trainer Oliver McKiernan when claiming the two-mile-five handicap hurdle at Limerick this afternoon.

It was a third success in six days for the Rathcoole handler when the Pointilliste gelding ran out a convincing four-and-a-quarter length winner.

Barry Browne, who had partnered McKiernan's two winners last weekend, was again in the saddle on the 5/1 shot.

He was one of a quartet who disputed heading down to the second last flight and he emerged in front after the hurdle.

The seven-year-old galloped on strongly from the last to settle matters and follow up on his win at Clonmel earlier in the month.

That victory had come off the back of a long absence and there was no sign of the 'bounce factor' today.

McKiernan wasn't present to welcome back in his winner.