Drawn widest in eleven Amanaat overcame the impediment to take the opening sprint at Dundalk, the BetVictor Handicap.

Donagh O’Connor dropped the James McAuley-owned and Denis Hogan-trained 8/1 shot in towards the rear.

Amanaat then came through between horses inside the last to beat Smart Stinger and favourite Stanhope by a length and three parts and a neck.

The winning rider said: "They went hard in front. He didn't have a great draw; Denis (Hogan) just told me to slot across, keep him travelling and come up between them. 

"It helped him that they were stopping in the last furlong and I was able to just come along and pick up the pieces.

"He found plenty of gears for me and travelled really well into it.

"It was a good start to the year."

(MG & EM)