3 minute read
Corine Barande-Barbe is looking forward to taking on St Nicholas Abbey again with Cirrus Des Aigles in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on July 27.
Only a neck separated them in last year's Dubai Sheema Classic with the French-trained runner coming out on top but St Nicholas Abbey took advantage of his absence at Meydan this year.
"We are looking forward to bringing Cirrus Des Aigles over to Ascot again," said Barande-Barbe.
"He is very, very well at the moment. He improved for his run at Saint-Cloud and improved with each piece of work afterwards - he has been really impressive.
"I knew that he would need the run in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. He lacked a bit of rhythm on that occasion and he was taking a breath just as everybody else was pushing and fighting, so Olivier Peslier didn't ask him too much.
"He was standing up in his box the next day and looking very happy. It's hard work for him to meet top Group One horses on his first start of the season and he did it quite well.
"We are set to take on St Nicholas Abbey again but I think that Cirrus Des Aigles might have improved since they met in Dubai. Physically, he is a long horse and he used to be a bit light but now he looks stronger.
"He had a little bit of a belly a month ago but it's gone now and he is probably more muscular compared to previous years. He is really coming in to top condition now and his work rider says that he has never been so sharp."
There are 13 possible other runners, including the German raider Novellist, impressive when winning at Saint-Cloud in the race Cirrus Des Aigles made his comeback.
St Nicholas Abbey's trainer Aidan O'Brien has also left in Mars, Battle Of Marengo, Ernest Hemmingway and Chamonix, while Ektihaam, Mukhadram, Universal, Red Cadeaux, Trading Leather and Very Nice Name are also among those remaining.