Cirrus Des Aigles: could have next start at Longchamp or Epsom

PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

France:  Corine Barande-Barbe is weighing up the options for Cirrus Des Aigles, who could bid for a fourth career Group 1 victory in the Prix d’Ispahan at Longchamp on Saturday, or wait until Epsom the following week for the Coronation Cup.

Winner of the Sheema Classic and Prix Ganay already this year, Cirrus Des Aigles has won eight times at Longchamp, however Barande-Barbe is in no hurry to commit to the 1m1¼f contest after the latest forfeit stage on Wednesday.

“He has the Prix d’Ipshan and also the Coronation Cup and it’s not yet totally decided which he’ll run in,” said Barande-Barbefrom her Chantilly base. “I’ll see who is left in the Ispahan and who might be running at the Curragh on Sunday [in the Tattersalls Gold Cup], because there are many horses also engaged in the Coronation, and then we’ll decide on Friday.”

Also among the entries are a trio of French Classic winners, after connections left Golden Lilac, Reliable Man and Tin Horse in the Group 1 contest.

Marco Botti is looking forward to running Dubai World Cup third Planteur, who along with the David O’Meara-trained Penitent feature among the nine possibles for the Ispahan.

“We’ve been very pleased since he came back,” said Botti. “He had a little break and physically he’s done really well. He did a nice piece of work at the weekend and it’s a case of so far, so good.”

Planteur will be reunited with Christophe Soumillon, who was on board for the son of Danehill Dancer’s sole Group 1 success in last year’s Prix Ganay when trained by Elie Lellouche.

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