Avenue Gabriel on path to Group One glory after Naas triumph, says Deegan

Paul Deegan is already planning for 2015 with Avenue Gabriel after a valuable win in the Garnet Stakes at Naas yesterday convinced him the best is yet to come from his star filly.

Avenue Gabriel was a fine fourth to Marvellous in May's Irish 1, 000 Guineas, but what was for most a welcome dry summer conspired against the Lady O'Reilly-owned three- year-old who took a long time to get over her only subsequent start in June's Pretty Polly Stakes.

“Her best form was always on fast ground but it started to catch up on her and she came back not herself from the Pretty Polly,” Deegan said. “We’ve had to be patient and we won’t be tempted to run on quick ground again.”

The Curragh trainer nominated the Matron Stakes as a possible Group One target next year and stressed: “With a bit of dig, and in a true run mile, she’ll be a good mare next year. That Guineas run was no fluke.”

Ger Lyons’s Endless Drama was a wide-margin winner and Lyons said: “He’s as big a horse as we’ve had come into the yard and we took our time. He’s very smart. He has a Killavullan entry but it wouldn’t be my style to run them back like that. We’ll look forward to next season.”

Eddie Lynam is doing the same with Byzantium although she still has something to prove to her trainer despite landing the odds in the fillies maiden. "I thought that she was very good, but maybe she's just good," Lynam said. "Pat (Smullen) still thinks she could be and I hope he's right. We'll see next year."

Meanwhile, Captain My Captain gave Co Cork trainer John Murphy just a third winner of the season when justifying 13/2 favouritism in the Birdcatcher Nursery.

Rocky Blier came late and fast under Billy Lee to land the €50,000 October Handicap while the favourite Lyrical Theatre was far too good for her opposition in the winners bumper.