Gabriel springs a surprise in Curragh opener 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
