Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
STARS JOCKEY FOR TITLE WIN
COLIN KEANE leads Pat Smullen by four, 80-76, in the intensifying tussle for the Jockeys Championship following yesterday’s action, confined to two-year-olds, in Naas. Nine-times champion Smullen doubled-up on Aurora Eclipse and London Icon while Keane struck on board Who’s Steph, a reverse of the outcome at Dundalk on Tuesday night when Keane bagged a brace. Narrowly beaten on her debut in Fairyhouse, Aurora Eclipse justified 15/8 favouritism in the five-furlong maiden for Michael O’callaghan while London Icon delivered in style in the one-mile median auction maiden. London Icon is trained by Adrian Keatley who explained that, if London Icon runs again this season, it will be in the Group 3 Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown. Earlier, Keane registered his 80th win of the season when the once raced Who’s Steph, a daughter of Zoffany, swooped inside the final furlong to beat favourite Minnie Haha in the fillies maiden. Another impressive maiden winner was Aidan O’brien’s colt Flag Of Honour, which built on his debut run on this track to land the finale under Seamus Heffernan. Training honours went to Johnny Murtagh who completed a double with Mister Magic (Shane Foley) and Yolo Star (Niall Mccullagh). And Jim Bolger will consider a quick return to action for Scoil Naisiunta, at Dundalk tomorrow night, following her clear-cut victory under Kevin manning in the mile nursery, before the handicapper has a chance to re-assess the Intense Focus filly.