Southerner followed up his Cork win from three weeks back, in the Racing Post Handicap Hurdle at Limerick.

A 33/1 chance coming off a 615-day absence last time, no such fancy odds were available on this occasion, but 5/1 was still a nice return about the Cronin family’s nine-year-old.

The Doneraile horse got a patient steer, and William Cronin delivered his mount, owned and trained by his father and namesake, to a nicety in the straight.

Favourite Duchess Ravenwaves ran well, but she had no answer from before the last, going down by five lengths.

"He has turned the corner and we are getting a clear run with him but we were just a bit worried about the quick turnaround from his run the last day,” said the successful pilot.

"He seemed to come out of his race very well and the conditions suited as he loves that deep ground.

"He'll probably go chasing at some stage - he turns 10 next week so we're making up for lost time."

(TW & EM)