Cirrus Des Aigles the class act in Coronation Cup

With last year’s Derby winner Ruler Of The World missing today’s Investec Coronation Cup at Epsom (2.40), the way looks clear for Cirrus Des Aigles to notch his third Group 1 success of the season.

The eight-year-old, trained in France by Corine Barande-Barbe, has looked as good as ever this year in landing the Prix Ganay and Prix d’Ispahan at Longchamp.

In the former, the gelding showed real battling qualities to beat last year’s Arc winner Treve by a short neck.

Cirrus then put in a dominant front running display in the Prix d’Ispahan, only needing to be pushed out with hands and heels to beat Anodin by 1 1/2 lengths.

That was Cirrus Des Aigles fifth success in Group 1 company, and he looks to hold outstanding claims of becoming the first French trained horse since Shirocco in 2006 to land this contest.

The main danger to Cirrus Des Aigles is likely to be fellow French raider Flintshire.

The Andre Fabre-trained colt won three of his six starts last year, culminating with an impressive 1/2 length success in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp.

The son of Dansili hasn’t been seen in action since finishing a highly creditable staying on eighth of 17 to Treve in the Arc, but is unlikely to be found wanting through lack of fitness given connections.

Flintshire is also officially rated just 3lb below Cirrus Des Aigles, and looks a huge runner if handling the track’s unique undulations.

The other runner that commands the utmost respect is Talent.

The Ralph Beckett trained filly showed that she handles the track when landing the Oaks 12 months ago, and went on to finish a gallant runner-up to Leading Light in the St Leger.

If fit and ready to go after 231 days on the sidelines, the daughter of New Approach is capable of serving it up to the “big two”.