Dianthus put herself in the shop winner after getting the better of a good duel with London Icon in the Madrid Handicap at Naas.

The Epaulette filly was sent to post a 12/1 shot for her return and Chris Hayes, recording a double on the day, soon tracked the front-running London Icon.

Richard O'Brien 's charge came to challenge over a furlong from home and got on top in the closing stages to record a length-and-three-quarters win.

The winner had just been denied in a Gowran maiden last October and had finished that campaign when finishing sixth in a Leopardstown maiden.

“I'm delighted with her. I was half hoping something like that could happen because she'd been working terrible well,” said O'Brien.

“Chris got off her in Leopardstown and said point her at the Madrid Handicap. To be honest I had to go home and look up and find out what it was.

“She came back in on January 2nd and everything has gone unbelievable all the way along to here.

“I'd say there is every chance she's a stakes filly to be honest. How long I get to keep her is going to be the big question but we've done a lot of our job with her and she seems to be quite good.

“Chris was saying she's a Guineas trial filly and she might target the same handicap (at Leopardstown) that last year's winner went for as long as the handicapper doesn't go mental.

“I'd be astonished if she wasn't sold on the strength of that to be honest.”