Patrickswell stuck his head out gamely to fight back and land the extened five-furlong handicap at Navan.
Marcus Callaghan 's gelding is a regular on the sprint handicap scene and was registering his seventh success.
He cut out the running, under Leigh Roche, but looked booked for second when The Reaper swooped inside the final furlong to lead.
The grey found reserves, however, to get his head back in front where it mattered for the narrowest of victories.
"He's a horse that has ability but he's a bit of a monkey and doesn't kill himself," said Callaghan.
"I rang the course this morning to see what the ground was like as he needs it good to firm. We'll keep him going in handicaps over the summer."