Deegan delighted with Emerald & Gabriel Trainer Paul Deegan believes the future is bright for both Shining Emerald and Avenue Gabriel following their fine efforts in defeat in the Guineas Trials at Leopardstown on Sunday. Shining Emerald won twice during a productive juvenile campaign and made a pleasing reappearance in the Leopardstown 2,000 Guineas Trial, beaten just three-quarters of a length into second by the race-fit Go For Goal. Avenue Gabriel, having her first start since finishing fifth in the Group One Fillies' Mile at Newmarket, was not beaten far into third in the 1,000 Guineas Trial, finishing on the heels of two exciting fillies in Bracelet and Balansiya. Deegan said: "Both horses have come out of their races well and we were delighted with how both of them performed on the day. "Shining Emerald was just beaten by a better horse on the day, but it was a good performance for his first run back. The two of them pulled a couple of lengths clear of the third and it was a nice run. "Chris (Hayes) gave him a great ride and just thought the ground was slow enough for him on the day. I'm not sure where we'll go next. We'll see how he is and go from there." Deegan was particularly pleased with Avenue Gabriel's effort over seven furlongs as he expects her to excel over a mile and a quarter and possible a mile and a half later in the campaign. "Avenue Gabriel ran a very good race, especially over that sort of trip as we know she'll want a bit further in time," he said. "I'd say the front three are all very good fillies and the two that finished in front of her look top drawer. "Our filly showed she has progressed well from two to three and hopefully we'll have an exciting year with her. All options are open at this stage. We've not made any decisions on where she might head next."
