Ageless Aigles To Drink from Cup

There is really very little left to accomplish for Cirrus des Aigles (Fr) (Even Top {Ire}), but a victory in Hong Kong, which has proved thus far to be elusive, would be the icing on the cake. 

Winner of the 2012 G1 Dubai Sheema Classic and runner-up to Gentildonna (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) earlier this term, the bay beat Treve in the G1 Prix Ganay and took down the colors of Flintshire in the Ascot’s G1 Coronation Cup, but was injured in that race. That enforced absence could be the difference between this year and others. 

He crossed the line first in the G2 Prix Dollar on Arc weekend, but was subsequently demoted to fifth and in his most recent effort–or perhaps better put, non-effort–the soft-ground specialist could not handle the bottomless turf at Ascot and was beaten six lengths into fifth by Noble Mission (GB) (Galileo {Ire}). Barande-Barbe says her stable darling just keeps on keeping on. 

“We haven’t changed our routine with him because of what you guys call ‘old age’,” Barande-Barbe told the press after the horse worked on Thursday morning. “You were already saying he was ancient three years ago. Believe me, he’s young at heart, truly, and being an 8-year-old doesn’t seem to affect him. Anyway, he’s born May 8, so he’s six months away from his ninth birthday.” 

Though he will prove a handsome risk-versus-reward betting opportunity, there are several in here with the credentials to win. Designs on Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) earned his Horse of the Year title, with his Hong Kong Derby victory and a defeat of Military Attack (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}) in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup, both over this course and distance. But he is winless in five tries since, and in his most recent appearance, was under a drive for the final three furlongs, but could only finish fifth, albeit only 3/4 of a length behind Blazing Speed (GB) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) in the G2 Jockey Club Cup Nov. 23 

The latter is one of three runners in the race for trainer Tony Cruz, who will also saddle Helene Super Star (War Front) and California Memory (Highest Honor {Fr}), winner of the Cup in 2011 and 2012. While the former Lines of Battle should help to fuel whatever pace is on, California Memory will come from off the speed as he looks to improve on a close fourth in the Jockey Club Cup. 

Japan’s Tokei Halo (Jpn) (Gold Halo {Jpn}) dictated from the front last year and nearly held off Akeed Mofeed, and Archimedes (Jpn) (Admire Moon {Jpn}) has a puncher’s chance to do even better here. Unraced since a runner-up effort to next-out G1 Dubai Duty Free S. champion Just a Way (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) in the G2 Nakayama Kinen Mar. 2, he has really impressed those on track this week and represents true value in the vicinity of 20-1.