Christophe Soumillon (far side) celebrates aboard Cirrus Des Aigles

 PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

CIRRUS DES AIGLES turned over Treve in what was an epic duel, as the older horse managed to out muscle Frankie Dettori’s mount in the final strides.

RELATED LINKS

Christophe Soumillon was aboard the eight-year-old Cirrus Des Aigles, who had to give Treve 3lb, but Corine Barande-Barbe’s star had race fitness on his side, as the Ganay was his third race of the year, while Arc heroine Treve was starting her campaign.

As expected Treve’s stablemate Belle De Crecy bounded into the lead, and took on pacemaking duties, with Thierry Jarnet soon several lengths clear on the five-year-old.

But all the action would unfold in the home straight, as Cirrus Des Aigles, sent off a 33-10 chance, duelled with 2-5 favouriteTreve in a colossal scrap, with the pair pulling well clear.

As hard as Dettori tried on Treve, the filly could not get past Soumillon on Cirrus Des Aigles who was securing a first Group 1 since taking the same race in 2012.

Winning trainer Barande-Barbe said: “I have always had confidence in him because he hasn’t left a thing in his feed bucket and he has already run twice and he had his ground today. I have read in the press that certain people think class always tells but, maybe an older horse who is winning his fourth Group 1 is pretty classy as well.”

Criquette Head-Maarek feels there is more to come from Treve, as she said: “We’ve been beaten by Cirrus Des Aigles, who is a fantastic horse who had the advantage of having two runs behind him. That’s racing. If she comes out of the race well we’ll continue as planned and on faster ground she will be better. She definitely needed the race.”

In what would now be a monumental rematch, the pair could lock horns in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Following the race, Coral cut Cirrus Des Aigles to 7-2 (from 7) for the race, with Treve pushed out to 6-4 (from 5-4).

Spokesman David Stevens said: “Cirrus Des Aigles had the advantage of a couple of runs under his belt so far this year compared to the reappearing Treve, so we’re happy to keep the filly as favourite for the Prince of Wales’s, and after their Ganay duel let’s just hope they both line up at Royal Ascot.”

fonte: RacingPost