Cirrus primed to regain his Champion crown

Corine Barande-Barbe is confident Cirrus Des Aigles has finally reached his peak for the campaign as he looks to regain his crown in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot today.

The seven-year-old was something of a surprise winner when beating the likes of So You Think and Snow Fairy to the prestigious prize in 2011, while he pushed the brilliant Frankel closer than most horses managed 12 months ago.

It has not been all plain sailing for the French star this term, with a setback suffered in the Far East late last year delaying his comeback and when he did eventually return, he appeared just a shadow of his former self.