It’s Him Again

Staged at Saint-Cloud today, the G1 Prix Royal-Oak, or French St Leger, offers a chance for Cirrus des Aigles (Fr) (Even Top {GB}) to restore fortunes that seem to be in sharp decline and bid for an eighth triumph at the highest level. While Corine Barande-Barbe has not lost any faith, it is hard to escape the feeling that the 9-year-old is understandably over the peak and on the way down, especially after a tame fifth in the Oct. 3 G2 Prix Dollar at Longchamp that he had traditionally dominated. Previously last in both the May 24 G1 Prix d’Ispahan also at Longchamp and Sept. 12 G1 Irish Champion S. at Leopardstown, he at least has the testing conditions here in which he thrives and on which he captured the latest of his top-level successes in the G1 Prix Ganay again at his favored Longchamp May 3. As well as his form is the question of the trip, as he has never been asked to tackle anything like this near two-mile trip throughout his eight seasons of racing. “It will be a little bit of a surprise for him going the longer distance, but he is a very intelligent horse and I am sure he will adapt,” Barande-Barbe said of the veteran, who will be partnered by Frankie Dettori for the first time. “Four years ago he won over 2500 meters, further than a mile and a half, in very deep ground in the Grand Prix de Deauville. This will be a new experience for him, but new experiences keep people young. For the first year since he has been racing, September and October have not been so wet, so running him over 2000 meters, the going has been too quick. That is why we are trying him over longer and having Frankie Dettori on his back is another nice surprise for him.” Retirement is never far from the discussions surrounding Cirrus des Aigles, but his trainer is keeping that talk at bay at present. “I don’t think this could be his last race,” she added. “If he is enjoying it, we would love to go back to Dubai with him.” Youth is certainly on the side of His Highness The Aga Khan’s Vazirabad (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}), who was an impressive winner of the 15-furlong G2 Prix Chaudenay at Longchamp last time Oct. 3. That bloodless win was his fourth in succession and followed another stress-free outing in the G3 Prix de Lutece over the same course and distance Sept. 6 and he is a serious player with weight-for-age on his side. Old rivals Fly With Me (Fr) (Beat Hollow {GB}) and Alex My Boy (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}) meet again, with the former having won the G3 Prix Gladiateur over this trip at Longchamp last time Sept. 13 and Alex My Boy arriving fresh, having been rested since annexing Deauville’s G2 Prix Kergorlay over 15 furlongs Aug. 23. Another with major claims is Siljan’s Saga (Fr) (Sagamix {Fr}), who was a slightly unlucky fifth in this last year and who went from success in the Aug. 30 G2 Grand Prix de Deauville to finishing just over four lengths eighth in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp Oct. 4.