The Jessica Harrington-trained Sprewell picked up nicely in the closing stages to make a winning return to action in the concluding median auction race at Naas.

10/11 favourite Serious Challenge took them along in the mile contest but was joined on either side by Sprewell and Zoinnocent over two furlongs from home.

The market leader failed to quicken over a furlong out as Zoinnocent took a narrow advantage.

Shane Foley got a good response from Sprewell inside the final furlong though and the Churchill colt got on top in the closing stages for a length win.

The 13/8 shot was making his third career outing and had been runner-up in a maiden over course and distance when last seen in November.

Kate Harrington said afterwards:- “Shane is the first jockey to ride a winner with a hip replacement!

“He had a procedure done the winter before and it didn’t really work on him. He was quite sore last season.

“Paddy Kenny did the full hip replacement for him and Shane has worked really hard over the past six weeks to get back riding.

“That is a proper horse and he’ll go for the Derby Trial at Leopardstown. He saw out the race really well today. I think he’ll improve for better ground as well.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)