Gretzky is now a four time winner over the mile and a half at Dundalk (curiously the last race on the programme each time) after he landed the Jamie McDonald Great Canada Run Handicap.

As was the case here before Christmas, the King's Best gelding was again lively in the betting before racing, the Conor Hoban ridden seven-year-old eventually settling on a starting price of 5/1.

As is the norm, Gretzky was patiently ridden from the rear, switching to the outer entering the straight. He got there to deliver his challenge a furlong out, leading inside the last before crossing the line three parts of a length to the good from the favourite Carried

Matthew Smith handles Gretzky for his father Kevin and he said: "He loves it up here. Conor gave him a great ride and didn't panic.

"He knows the horse well and knows he likes to come late.

"I wouldn't mind a few more like Gretzky.

"After that his options might be limited up here but hopefully we'll bring him back here again.

"A mile and half is his trip."

Meanwhile Smith reported of another of his inmates: "Rawnaq got a bit of a break and he should be back in action in March or April." (MG & EM)