In The Shadow Of Cirrus

Re-routed to Saint-Cloud as Longchamp undergoes its renovation, Sunday's G1 Prix Ganay is not only lacking the recently-retired three-times winner Cirrus des Aigles (Fr) (Even Top {Ire}), but also the kind of depth we have become accustomed to as France's best older horses traditionally re-emerge from their winter slumber. As such, it could be that one from the same Corine Barande-Barbe stable, Garlingari (Fr) (Linngari {Ire}), takes precedence following his impressive 3 1/2-length defeat of Sumbal (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) in the G2 Prix d'Harcourt at Chantilly last time Apr. 10. Widening the margin that separated them in the G3 Prix Exbury also over this 10-furlong trip at Saint-Cloud Mar. 20, the homebred bay looks to have an element of the “Cirrus” magic and it is hard to know where his progression will stop. In a competitive renewal, due respect must be paid to the mare Siljan's Saga (Fr) (Sagamix {Fr}), who took the G2 Grand Prix de Deauville in August prior to finishing just over four lengths eighth in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in October. Second in the G1 Prix Royal-Oak over nearly two miles here later that month, she was unlucky when only fourth to Garlingari in the d'Harcourt and on balance holds the strongest form.

His Highness The Aga Khan's G2 Prix Eugene Adam winner Dariyan (Fr) (Shamardal) is in the picture on his third placing behind Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the Dec. 13 G1 Hong Kong Vase. Taken to Meydan for the carnival, the homebred was second to Postponed (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the Mar. 5 G2 Dubai City of Gold over a mile and a half before finishing sixth behind that rival in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic three weeks later. Also in Dubai was Fitri Hay's The Corsican (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who was not disgraced when seventh in the G1 Dubai Turf over an inadequate nine-furlong trip on the same World Cup undercard. His best efforts last term came when fourth in the G1 Prince of Wales's S. at Royal Ascot in June and when successful in Newbury's 11-furlong G3 Arc Trial in September on contrasting surfaces.