Sequoiaspirit stayed on best in the closing stages to land the spoils in the second division of the Patrickswell Apprentice Handicap at Limerick.

There were three in a line passing the furlong mark in the mile-and-three contest as Paddy Harnett produced his mount to challenge on the inner.

The Ray Hackett-trained gelding got the better of No Trouble in the closing stages to secure a half length victory.

Sequoiaspirit was returning to the Flat having been well beaten in recent runs over hurdles. He was supported from 33/1 into 9/1.

"He struggled the last day over hurdles and it knocked the stuffing out of him. It took him a long time to recover and we said we'd come back and have a go at this, with the light weight and see,” said Hackett.

"It was more to sweeten him than anything and it worked out grand.

"I thought Paddy gave him a peach of a ride. He is a very handy horse but his heart is in the right place. I wouldn't be too anxious to put a big weight on him and he'll pitch away on the flat for a while.

"We thought he'd be in the shake-up with the fitness level he had from the hurdles."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)