Avenue Gabriel ready for Group Three task Paul Deegan is hoping for a flying start to the Flat season when he saddles Avenue Gabriel in the Group Three Lodge Park Stud EBF Park Express Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday. The Lady O'Reilly-owned filly ran a cracker to finish fourth in the Irish 1,000 Guineas last year, but missed four months of the season after a disappointing effort on fast ground in the Pretty Polly Stakes. She did bounce back to winning ways at the end of the season, with a Listed success at Naas, and connections are keen to make hay while there is a cut in the ground. "Sunday's the plan and we're very much looking to go in the early part of the year with her as she seems very effective with a bit of a dig now," said Deegan. "She won't be running on fast ground again and will be a spring and autumn filly. We're hoping for a big first part of the year and then she'll get a summer holiday. She's fit and well and ready to start." Deegan has previously mentioned the Group One Matron as a possible long-term target and that remains a possibility. He said: "She was fourth in a Group One already and if we could nick third in one we'd be delighted. She rounded off last year on a good note and we think there is more to come." A total of 12 runners are set to go to post, including the lightly raced Easter for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore, who returns from riding at Meydan on World Cup night. There are two British representatives in Karl Burke's Odeliz and the Eve Johnson Houghton-trained Amulet.
