Saeed bin Suroor believes Rio De La Plata remains a serious contender for Classic honours next season, despite his defeat by New Approach.

Godolphin's colt emerged with great credit when beaten a length and three-quarters to Jim Bolger's star in the National Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.

The Group One contest has been hailed as the top juvenile race of the season so far.

"He's a very good horse and is the number one horse so far from the two-year-olds we have in the stable," said bin Suroor.

"He has improved from every race and that last race was a bit slow for him to quicken. The winner was in front all the way and is the best in Europe so far."

Rio De La Plata, successful in the Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, could bid to return to winning ways in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket on October 20.

"I am very happy with my horse so far and we might take him to the Dewhurst. He came back kicking the next day and is definitely a horse for the future for Classic races," bin Suroor went on.

"Sometimes Rahy's horses get better with time - like Fantastic Light - and I'm sure you will see this horse over a mile and a quarter or even a mile and a half next year," he told At The Races.