Adrian Keatley holds London Icon in high regard and he showed why with a comprehensive victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden at Naas.
Third on debut in a hot Curragh event, the Elzaam colt was the 9-10 favourite to go two better and Pat Smullen bounced him straight into the lead.
He took a couple of lengths out of his opponents early in the straight and although Night Of Power attempted to challenge, he could never really get close enough and London Icon strode across the line with three and a quarter lengths in hand.
Smullen also got on the scoresheet when Aurora Eclipse produced a good display of speed to make it second-time lucky in the Naas Racecourse Maiden.
Second to the promising Blue Uluru on her first taste of competitive action at Fairyhouse, Michael O'Callaghan's 15-8 favourite built on that to dispose of Gottardo by a length and three-quarters.
Smullen is now four behind Colin Keane in the race to be crowned champion jockey, with the title leader scoring on Who's Steph (2-1) in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.< Minnie Haha slipped through the inside to take it up a furlong and a half out, but Who's Steph came with a wet sail down the outside and won comfortably by three lengths.< Flag Of Honour did all that was expected of him in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
Aidan O'Brien's 4-6 favourite hit the front over a furlong out and the further he went, the better he went as he came home four and a half lengths to the good over Jewel Maker < Scoil Naisiunta (13-2) trounced her rivals in the naasracecourse.com Nursery Handicap, while 7-1 chance Mister Magic took the Panoramic Restaurant At Naas Claiming Race.
The latter's trainer Johnny Murtagh doubled up when Yolo Star (6-1) kept to her task admirably to claim top honours in the Book Hospitality Online Nursery Handicap.
