Cirrus Faces Nine Champion Stakes Rivals
- Friday, 18 October 2013 00:45
Cirrus Des Aigles will face nine rivals as he bids to regain his crown in the Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.
The French-trained seven-year-old took the honours in 2011 and put up a sterling effort when beaten only a 1-3/4 lengths by Frankel 12 months ago.
He has taken time to come to form this season after suffering a setback late last year, but victories on his last two starts have shown Corine Barande-Barbe's stable star is no back number.
Ryan Moore is set to continue his partnership with Ruler Of The World, having guided him to victory in the English Derby at Epsom in June.
It had been expected he would be on Hillstar for Sir Michael Stoute, but has instead been booked for the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt.
Champion jockey Richard Hughes will now ride Hillstar, winner of the King Edward VII Stakes at the Royal meeting.
Farhh has been declared for this race rather than the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. The Saeed bin Suroor-trained entire has not raced since winning the Lockinge Stakes over a mile at Newbury in May.
Godolphin have a second representative in Hunter's Light from the same yard.
The line-up is completed by Mukhadram, Main Sequence, Parish Hall, Morandi and Triple Threat.
