Way Down South powered away from his rivals to post a six-and-a-half-length verdict in the Cuchulainn Maiden Hurdle (In Memory Of Andrew McNamara) at Limerick.

He was nicely backed down to 12/1 and got away well from the penultimate flight. Another good jump at the last saw him forge on home for Daniel King.

The places were occupied by Annamaymurt (16/1) and 25/1 shot Master Of The Sums

Gillian Scott said: "My horses scoped wrong six weeks ago when Ask The Bookie bled, but had run well earlier today (finishing third) so I was hopeful.

"He can be quite hard on himself, so we said we'd jump him out in front and see how we get on. I'm delighted it worked out and he is a nice horse for the future."

Scott, who had a serious horse-related accident earlier this year, added "Having a Listowel winner (in September) was a highlight, especially with the year we've had, but this is my first Christmas winner at my local course so means a lot."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes