Trainer Corine Barande-Barbe remains confident Cirrus Des Aigles can still be a force in the Champion Stakes despite his third loss this year.
The winner of the Champion Stakes at Ascot in 2011 and second to Frankel last year, Cirrus Des Aigles suffered a ligament injury in the lead-up to the Hong Kong International Cup in December.
At the time he was the world’s highest ranked horse in training following the retirement to stud of Frankel.
The seven-year-old finished a well-beaten fourth when sent off favourite for the King George And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot late last month and trainer Corine Barande-Barbe dropped him back to 10 furlongs (2000m) as she went in search of a first win this campaign.
He was also down in class in the Group Three Prix Gontaut-Biron, and although Cirrus Des Aigles had to settle for second to Petit Chevalier, his trainer remained upbeat.
“He’s still progressing although of course I’m a little disappointed because I thought he would beat the other horse,” Barande-Barbe said.
“It was quick ground and there was no pace on.”
As to future engagements, Barande-Barbe appeared to be cooling on the idea of the Irish Champion Stakes.
“We chose to run here and we’ll probably run in the Dollar and, between the two, we’ll have to see,” she said.
“There’s Ireland, but the owner might not fancy that.”
