Cirrus hands Sarafina Arc boost

Cirrus Des Aigles gave the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe claims of Sarafina a timely boost as he sauntered to victory in the Lucien Barriere Grand Prix de Deauville.

One of the most consistent horses in training, certainly in France, the Corine Barande-Barbe-trained five-year-old disputed matters with Mark Tompkins’ Ted Spread in the early stages, with the writing on the wall for the latter two furlongs out.

Cirrus Des Aigles was all the while in cruise control, easing further and further clear, with jockey Franck Blondel never having to get remotely serious in beating Silver Pond.

Unfortunately for connections, as a gelding Cirrus Des Aigles is prevented from running in the Arc, a race for which Sarafina, his conqueror at Saint-Cloud in June, disputes favouritism following the retirement of Pour Moi.