No Dubai For Cirrus Des Aigles

NO DUBAI FOR CIRRUS DES AIGLES 
Veteran Group 1 galloper Cirrus Des Aigles (Fr) (Even Top {Ire}) will bypass this year’s Dubai World Cup card with an aim towards a seasonal debut at Longchamp prior to the G1 Prix Ganay at that course May 3. 

The 9-year-old gelding was last seen finishing fourth, beaten 1 1/2 lengths, in the G1 Hong Kong Cup in December. 

“The horse is perfectly well and perfectly happy, just like always,” said trainer Corine Barande-Barbe. “After he came back from Hong Kong, we wanted to give him a full month of relaxation. To go to Dubai would not give him enough time to be completely at his best, so we have decided to leave it this year. We like to go to Dubai every other year, so it might be we try again next year.” 

Cirrus Des Aigles won the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic in 2012 prior to adding that year’s Ganay. He was second to Gentildonna (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in last year’s Sheema Classic before reeling off three straight Group 1 victories in Europe: the Ganay over Treve (Fr) (Motivator {GB}), the Prix d’Ispahan over Anodin (Ire) (Anabaa) and the Coronation Cup over Flintshire (GB) (Dansili {GB}). 

“He’s very fresh and enjoying life, but I’d like to get him back for a race at Longchamp in the spring before we think about the Prix Ganay,” Barande-Barbe added.