The opening event at Dundalk this evening, the five furlong Crowne Plaza Race & Stay Package Race, was won by The Reaper who provided trainer Ger Lyons with his first winner of the season and a second career win for jockey Danny Benson.

Benson moved the son of Footstepsinthesand through to lead inside the final furlong before recording a three parts of a length win over Calm Bay

Lyons later reported “that’s a good win for Danny and I decided to claim the 10lbs off The Reaper today because I don’t think three year olds can beat older horses at this time of the year.”

“We thought a lot of him as a two year old and hopefully he has now turned a corner but may need to improve to be Listed class.”

Seventeen year old Benson, from Dunshaughlin, recorded his first winner at Cork last October.

Thomas Weekes