Cirrus Des Aigles up for the Coronation Cup

Cirrus Des Aigles has been confirmed as an intended runner in the Investec Coronation Cup at Epsom on Saturday, June 7th, and heads the betting at 6/4 with Coral for the 1m 4f contest.

The eight-year-old clinched his fifth Group 1 victory with a dominant front-running display in the Prix d’Ispahan at Longchamp just over a week ago ,and trainer Corine Barande-Barbe was keen to assess her stable star’s well being before committing to a trip to Epsom.

She has been delighted with how the son of Even Top has recovered from his Longchamp exertions, and the gelding’s participation means a trip to Royal Ascot later this month has been ruled out.

Cirrus De Aigles has won 20 of his 57 starts and amassed more than £5.6 million in prize money.

Prior to his success in the Prix d’Ispahan, Cirrus had put in an ultra game effort to beat last year’s Arc winner Treve by a short neck in the Group 1 Prix Ganay.

He will be bidding to become the first French trained horse since Shirocco in 2006 to land the Coronation Cup and faces some top class rivals.

They include last year’s Epsom Derby winner Ruler Of The World, who is bidding to give trainer Aidan O’Brien his fifth successive winner in the contest and is 5/2 with Coral.

O’Brien has won six of the last seven runnings, and Ruler Of The World would be a popular winner in a year in which the race is run in commemoration of his ill-fated stable companion St Nicholas Abbey who won it in 2011,2012 and 2013.

The Andre Fabre-trained Flintshire is another intriguing contender from across the Channel, and is the 11/2 third favourite with Coral.

The colt has won three of his six starts, and hasn’t been seen in action since finishing a staying on eighth of 17 to Treve in the Arc.

Also among the 10 declared runners is Talent, who won the Oaks over course and distance last season before finishing a gallant runner-up to Leading Light in the St Leger.

The Ralph Beckett trained filly is a 13/2 chance with Coral.