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Gabriel springs a surprise in Curragh opener

Avenue Gabriel (right) approaches the line in front from Ballybacka Queen in secondAvenue Gabriel (right) approaches the line in front from Ballybacka Queen in second
© Photo Healy Racing

Two newcomers battled out the finish to the opening race at the Curragh, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden, with the Paul Deegan trained Avenue Gabriel getting the better of Ballybacka Queen

Ridden by Chris Hayes, the Lady O’Reilly owned (her first horse with Deegan) victor was sent off at 14/1, with the Ballydoyle newcomer, Snow going off the well-backed 4/6 favourite (13/8 this morning with Powers and opened at evens on-course).

The winning daughter of Champs Elysees (stands in Juddmonte in the UK for £5,000) had a good battle with Ballybacka Queen inside the final furlong, getting on top close home to win by a neck at the line.

Ballybacka Queen, who was sent off at 50/1, ran a cracker to take second under Ronan Whelan for Pat Fahy while the front-running Calorie (9/2) had to settle for third, two and a quarter lengths back under trainer, jockey Johnny Murtagh.

Snow never looked like winning under Joseph O’Brien and she finished a disappointing fifth.

Paul Deegan said afterwards: "We think she is a nice filly and there is plenty more to come from her. She was ready to go and do herself justice and she’ll probably go for the Silver Flash Stakes now.

"Lady O’Reilly bought her off of us earlier this year."

The winner was sold for €14,000 as a foal at Tattersalls in November of 2011 but went for just €5,000 as a yearling the following September.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

1st
14/1
Tote €17.90 €3.20
2nd
nk
50/1
€10.10
3rd
2.25L
9/2
€2.20
4th
3.25L
20/1
bf
0.5L
4/6Fav
About Donal Murphy
Donal graduated from Maynooth University in 2010 with a BBS in Equine Business and since attained a diploma in Sports Journalism from Dublin Business School. He holds a variety of roles in the horse racing industry, reporting for the Press Association and p2p.ie, while also working for SIS and the Tote. From Wexford, he is a keen runner and has completed over 100 parkruns at various locations around the country.