Cirrus Des Aigles: after more Group 1 glory in Prix d'Ispahan

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)  

Cirrus Des Aigles heads stars in the d'Ispahan

Preview: France, Sunday (2.45pm BST)

Longchamp: Prix d'Ispahan (Group 1) 1m1¼f, 4yo+

CIRRUS DES AIGLES (Corine Barande-Barbe/Olivier Peslier) bids for a hat-trick of Group 1 successes off the back of his processional win in the Prix Ganay here last month.

With connections seemingly unconcerned by the drop back in trip on quicker ground, "Fighting Cirrus" will be a short-price to account for seven high-class opponents.

"Olivier [Peslier] put it well after his last run when he spoke of how much speed he has," said Barande-Barbe. "The horse is very well and it would certainly further enhance his record if he could add a Group 1 over 1850m to wins at that level over 2000m and 2400m."

Last year's Prix Ganay winner Planteur (Marco Botti/Christophe Soumillon) returns to the scene of his biggest triumph in partnership with his regular jockey from the days when he was trained by Elie Lellouche.

Marco Botti: trains Planteur

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker   

A fine running-on third in the Dubai World Cup under Ryan Moore for new connections, the son of Danehill Dancer pleased his trainer in his last serious work in Newmarket last weekend.

Golden Lilac (Andre Fabre/Maxime Guyon) would be unbeaten but for an under-par third behind Galikova at Deauville last August, after which she was found to have been suffering from a virus.

Previously the Galileo filly had looked imperious in landing the Pouliches-Diane double but must overcome a nine month absence.

Tin Horse (Didier Guillemin/Thierry Jarnet) also returns from a long lay-off, having not been seen since finishing seventh in last September's Prix du Moulin, a race run during what can best be decribed as a ‘flash-monsoon.'

"He hasn't run yet because of the soft ground," said Guillemin. "He's become a difficult horse to assess in the mornings, he's a bit too laid back and I hope I've got him right for this."

Reliable Man (Alain de Royer-Dupre/Gerald Mosse) completes the Classic-winning trio in the line-up.

Last season's Prix du Jockey Club hero has ten lengths to find with Cirrus Des Aigles on their running in the Ganay but connections expect the son of Dalakhani to improve significantly for the run.

Penitent (David O'Meara/Daniel Tudhope) is a first runner in France for both trainer and jockey.

The six-year-old earned his place in Group 1 company with success in the Bet365 Mile at Sandown, though he will not enjoysuch testing conditions here and must be given the all-clear once connections have walked the course.

The eight-runner field is completed by Zinabaa (Michel Mace/Yannick Letondeur) and No Risk At All (Jean-Paul Gallorini/Ioritz Mendizabal), who finished first and second in the Group 2 Prix du Muguet at Saint-Cloud.