There will be few easier winners of a five furlongs sprint at Dundalk this winter than Danz Gift which landed the opening Dundalk Stadium Handicap at the venue this evening, scoring for trainer Sheila Lavery and jockey Wayne Lordan.

Lordan held up the son of Haatef towards the rear but the pair made good headway, on the bridle, to challenge a furlong out. Danz Gift was then pushed out to record an easy three and a quarter lengths winner over Kimbay

Afterwards Lavery stated "maybe he's got confidence after winning (at Dundalk previously in November). We always knew he had plenty of pace but things had to go his way and he was unlucky in running a few times.

"He's learning to breathe and, when you can cover him up, he's able to finish out. He takes his races well and comes home bouncing. I'm hoping to keep him going on the all-weather over the winter."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee