Cirrus to swerve Irish Champion Stakes

Cirrus Des Aigles will not run in the Red Mills Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown next Saturday.

French trainer Corine Barande-Barbe feels the three-times Group One winner could be overwhelmed against the likes of Nathaniel and Snow Fairy on what would be his first start since May.

The six-year-old gelding will instead have a prep race in his homeland as he builds towards a clash with Frankel in his defence of the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 20.

Barande-Barbe said: “He will not run in Ireland.

“The Irish Champion looks like it will be a very good race and it might be too much for him – he has been off for a long time.

“He is very well and we are very happy with him, but we will prepare for Ascot in France. He could run in La Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte, or there is also the Prix Dollar a day before the Arc.

“He finished second in that race (Prix Dollar) last year and it could fit well. The English Champion is the big plan.”