Ascot Racecourse Media Release for immediate release, Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Cirrus Des Aigles primed for King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Sponsored by Betfair) at Ascot

Corine Barande-Barbe is looking forward to seeing her stable star return to Ascot for the £1-million King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (sponsored by Betfair), the tremendous highlight of the Betfair Weekend on Saturday, July 27.

The Group One mile and a half contest has 15 top horses going forward following the latest scratchings deadline on Tuesday, July 9, details of which are revealed today.

Cirrus Des Aigles captured the QIPCO at Ascot in October, 2011, and only the brilliant a length and three quarters too strong in the same race last year.

The seven-year-old, rated the best horse in training at the start of this year, made a belated return to action following a ligament injury in the Group One Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud on June 23, and faded to finish fifth behind , beaten four and a half lengths.

He is currently Betfair Sportsbook's 5/2 second favourite for the Ascot showpiece behind St Nicholas Abbey (2/1), who went down by a neck to Cirrus Des Aigles when they took each other on in the Group One Sheema Classic at Meydan in March, 2012.

Barande-Barbe, who trains in Chantilly, , reported: "We are looking forward to bringing Cirrus Des Aigles over to Ascot again.

"We gave him a precautionary entry in the Grand Prix de Vichy on July 17 in case I wanted to give him a prep-run but it is a bit too near the King George and a bit too far from my stables.

"He is very, very well at the moment. He improved for his run at Saint-Cloud and improved with each piece of work afterwards - he has been really impressive.

"I knew that he would need the run in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. He lacked a bit of rhythm on that occasion and he was taking a breath just as everybody else was pushing and fighting, so didn't him too much.

"He was standing up in his box the next day and looking very happy. It's hard work for him to meet top Group One horses on his first start of the season and he did it quite well.

"He worked on Tuesday on good going at Chantilly and he doesn't mind quicker ground. The going was quite firm when he won at Meydan last year and he coped with it well.

"We are set to take on St Nicholas Abbey again but I think that Cirrus Des Aigles might have improved since they met in Dubai. Physically, he is a long horse and he used to be a bit light but now he looks stronger.

"He had a little bit of a belly a month ago but it's gone now and he is probably more muscular compared to previous years. He is really coming in to top condition now and his work rider says that he has never been so sharp."

Germany celebrated a first success in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (sponsored by Betfair) with in 2012.

The country is set to lay down another strong challenge with the best there - the Andreas Wohler-trained Novellist (11/2) who gained a second Group One success in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and has been victorious on seven of his nine starts.

The international aspect of the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (sponsored by Betfair) is emphasised by Alban De Mieulle, who trains predominantly in but also in France, and is planning to run improving four-year-old Very Nice Name (20/1).

The son of Whipper, who is currently in France, racked up five wins from as many starts in Qatar; culminating with a comfortable victory in the valuable Emir Trophy (local Group One) in February.

Very Nice Name, the leading performer in Qatar, was last seen out at Meydan, UAE, in the Group One on World Cup night on March 30, when he ran a gallant race to finish a close third to St Nicholas Abbey and Japanese star .

Aidan O'Brien has sent out St Nicholas Abbey to six Group One victories in Europe, Dubai and the USA, and the Irish handler may also be represented by talented three- year-olds Mars (25/1) and Battle Of Marengo (33/1), plus recent Curragh Group Three scorer Ernest Hemingway (33/1) and Chamonix (33/1) in the race that he has won three times.

Irish Derby victor (6/1) adds further strength to the three-year-old contingent. The Teofilo colt's trainer Jim Bolger saddled St Jovite to complete the Curragh-Ascot double in 1992.

Mukhadram (25/1) may step up to a mile and a half after finishing second in the Group One Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot and an unlucky third in Sandown's on July 6, both run over 10 furlongs.

The four-year-old's owner Hamdan Al Maktoum could rely on Ektihaam (8/1), who slipped up when favourite for the Group Two at Royal Ascot - a race in which Universal (33/1) finished third and Mount Athos (20/1) came fifth.

Hong Kong Vase winner and runner-up Red Cadeaux (33/1), from Ed Dunlop's Newmarket stable, and 's dual Group One winner Hunter's Light (33/1), trained by , complete the possible runners at the moment. There is a £75,000 supplementary entry stage on July 22.

The Saturday of the Betfair Weekend also sees the £100,000 Cash Out Multiples Only On Betfair International Handicap and the 81 acceptors for the very competitive seven-furlong contest include Diescentric who is the 8/1 favourite with Betfair Sportsbook following an impressive win at Newcastle on June 29.

King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (sponsored by Betfair) - Betfair Sportsbook prices: 2/1 St Nicholas Abbey, 5/2 Cirrus Des Aigles, 11/2 Novellist, 6/1 Trading Leather, 8/1 Ektihaam, 20/1 Mount Athos, Very Nice Name, 25/1 Mars, , 33/1 Battle Of Marengo, Chamonix, Ernest Hemingway, Hunter's Light, Red Cadeaux, Universal. Each way 1/4 the odds a place 1-2-3.

Cash Out Multiples Only On Betfair International Handicap - Betfair Sportsbook prices: 8/1 Diescentric, 10/1 Queensberry Rules, 12/1 Ashaadd, Belgian Bill, Dream Tune, Lightning Cloud, 14/1 Burn The Boats, Field Of Dream, Prince Of Johanne, 16/1 Bertiewhittle, Famous Poet, Fury, Hawkeyethenoo, My Freedom, 20/1 bar. Each way 1/4 the odds a place 1-2-3-4.

About The Betfair Weekend

The Betfair Weekend at Ascot takes place from Friday, July 26, through to Sunday, July 28. The highlight is the £1-million Group One King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (sponsored by Betfair) which is Britain's top and richest all-aged 12- furlong contest, run over a mile and a half on the Saturday.

For further information, please contact Nick Smith, Head of Communications & International Racing at Ascot, on 07771791449 or [email protected]

THE KING GEORGE VI & QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES (SPONSORED BY BETFAIR) Group 1, Class 1, £1,000,000 Total Prize Fund. One mile and four furlongs, Ascot, Saturday, July 27, 2013. For three-year-olds and upwards. Weights: three-year-old colts and geldings 8st 9lb, fillies 8st 6lb; four-year-old and up colts and geldings 9st 7lb, fillies 9st 4lb; southern hemisphere allowance: 4yo 4lb. Entries made June 11, entries revealed June 12 (29 entries), scratchings' deadline July 9 (14 remain), five-day confirmation & £75,000 supplementary entry stage July 22, final declarations July 25. Form figures up to and including the racing of Monday, July 8, may not include some overseas form.

Form Horse Age/Wgt Owner Trainer 61114-5 CHAMONIX (IRE) 4-9-07 Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith Aidan O'Brien IRE (2)112d12-5 CIRRUS DES AIGLES (FR) 7-9-07 Jean-Claude-Alain Dupouy Corine Barande- Barbe FR 1202-31S EKTIHAAM (IRE) 4-9-07 Hamdan Al Maktoum Roger Varian (1)70(2)-41 ERNEST HEMINGWAY (IRE) 4-9-07 Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith Aidan O'Brien IRE 21-(1)(1)(0)6 HUNTER'S LIGHT (IRE) 5-9-07 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor 11150-15 MOUNT ATHOS (IRE) 6-9-07 Dr Marwan Koukash Luca Cumani 11425-123 MUKHADRAM 4-9-07 Hamdan Al Maktoum 11241-11 NOVELLIST (IRE) 4-9-07 Dr Christoph Berglar Andreas Wohler GER 001-(2)300 RED CADEAUX 7-9-07 The Hon Ronald Arculli Ed Dunlop 3303-11 ST NICHOLAS ABBEY (IRE) 6-9-07 Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE (0)(2)(1)113 UNIVERSAL (IRE) 4-9-07 Abdulla Al Mansoori Mark Johnston 2311-1113 VERY NICE NAME (FR) 4-9-07 H H Sheikh Abdulla bin Khalifa Al Thani Alban de Mieulle QTR 111-1142 BATTLE OF MARENGO (IRE) 3-8-09 Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE (1)-6634 MARS (IRE) 3-8-09 Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE 115-2311 TRADING LEATHER (IRE) 3-8-09 Jackie Bolger Jim Bolger IRE

THE FOLLOWING 14 HORSES HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED: , BRASS RING, , DUNADEN (FR), IMPERIAL MONARCH (IRE), LIBERTARIAN, (IRE), PASTORIUS (GER), (IRE), (IRE), SAINT BAUDOLINO (IRE), , TRIUMPHANT (IRE), VADAMAR (FR)

15 entries remain after July 9 scratchings deadline 6 Irish-trained 1 French-trained 1 German-trained 1 Qatari-trained

CASH OUT MULTIPLES ONLY ON BETFAIR INTERNATIONAL HANDICAP Class 2, Heritage Handicap, £100,000 Total Prize Fund. Seven furlongs. 3.15pm, Ascot, Saturday, July 27, 2013. For three-year-olds and upwards. Weights: highest weight not less than 9st 10lb; minimum weight 8st. Penalties, after June 29, a winner 3lb; of 2 or more races 5lb.Entries closed, June 25, entries revealed June 26, (89 entries), weights revealed July 3, scratchings deadline July 9 (81 remain) five-day confirmation stage Monday, July 22. Final declaration stage 10.00am, Thursday, July 25. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Monday, July 8. May not include some overseas form. The top-weighted horse is rated 108.

Form Animal Age Owner Trainer 02-4465 HAWKEYETHENOO (IRE) 7-9-10 Johnnie Delta Racing Jim Goldie 36-0165 PEARL FLUTE (IRE) 3-9-08 Qatar Racing Limited Francis Graffard FR 00(1)-311 DIESCENTRIC (USA) 6-9-08 Axom (XVIII) Julie Camacho 426224 DON'T CALL ME (IRE) 6-9-07 Matt & Lauren Morgan David Nicholls 66-4(0)(4)3 LOCKWOOD 4-9-07 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor 2065-00 THE CHEKA (IRE) 7-9-06 Anthony Pye-Jeary And Mel Smith Eve Johnson Houghton (0)30040 SANTEFISIO 7-9-06 Weldspec Glasgow Limited Keith Dalgleish 006-0201 PRINCE OF JOHANNE (IRE) 7-9-05 (3lb Ex) David Storey Tom Tate 03-3(0)(3)0 SOUND 5-9-04 Pearl Bloodstock Ltd David Brown 2026-(0)0 PIED A TERRE (AUS) 5-9-04 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor 06-0244 MAJESTIC MYLES (IRE) 5-9-04 James Gaffney Richard Fahey 34(3)-040 SIRIUS PROSPECT (USA) 5-9-04 Miss N Yarrow Dean Ivory (2)-(0)(0)(2)01 BELGIAN BILL 5-9-03 PJL, Cooper & Baker George Baker 03-3001 LIGHTNING CLOUD (IRE) 5-9-02 Hambleton Racing Ltd XVIII Kevin Ryan 1266-24 SIR PATRICK MOORE (FR) 3-9-02 The Astronomers Harry Dunlop (2)3-15(0)0 MASTEROFTHEROLLS (IRE) 5-9-02 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor 6002052 ES QUE LOVE (IRE) 4-9-01 Crone Stud Farms Ltd Mark Johnston 400-4(0)1 MY FREEDOM (IRE) 5-9-01 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor 0-(4)(5)523 SHAMAAL NIBRAS (USA) 4-9-01 Saeed Altayer Ismail Mohammed 0(5)5(6)06 FIELD OF DREAM 6-9-00 Ken Gundlach Jamie Osborne 2050-40 FURY 5-9-00 Cheveley Park Stud William Haggas 5000-10 EXCELLENT GUEST 6-9-00 John Guest Racing George Margarson 0/(3)4-360 BURWAAZ 4-8-13 Hamdan Al Maktoum Ed Dunlop 046-202 BERTIEWHITTLE 5-8-13 Norton Common Farm Racing II&JKB Johnson David Barron (0)(0)(2)-2206 LES TROYENS 5-8-13 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor 5/-(1)0451 BURN THE BOATS (IRE) 4-8-12 D Spratt Ger Lyons IRE 1035-00 THE GOLD CHEONGSAM (IRE) 3-8-11 Arashan Ali Jeremy Noseda 03(6)0-015 ASATIR (USA) 4-8-11 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor 00(0)-500 PALACE MOON 8-8-11 Canisbay Bloodstock William Knight (6)(0)(1)115 DR RED EYE 5-8-11 The Red Eye Partnership Scott Dixon 60-0010 SMARTY SOCKS (IRE) 9-8-11 Direct Racing Partnership David O'Meara 325-410 REDVERS (IRE) 5-8-11 M J C and E J C Hawkes Ed Vaughan 125-552 DREAM TUNE 4-8-11 Al Asayl Bloodstock Ltd Clive Cox 1041-40 EMILIO LARGO 5-8-11 Malcolm Denmark James Fanshawe 0-30500 BRAE HILL (IRE) 7-8-10 Dr Marwan Koukash Richard Fahey (3)02-(2)06 LOVING SPIRIT 5-8-10 Loving Spirit Partnership James Toller (1)24(1)2-2 FAMOUS POET (IRE) 4-8-10 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor (0)2023010 GALICIAN 4-8-09 (3lb Ex) Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Mark Johnston (5)-(0)1030 MEZZOTINT (IRE) 4-8-09 GIB Bloodstock Ltd & J Allison Marco Botti (1)133 QUEENSBERRY RULES (IRE) 3-8-09 Liam Sheridan William Haggas (5)(6)(6)124 GEORGE GURU 6-8-09 T M Jones Michael Attwater 0/400-00 REBELLIOUS GUEST 4-8-08 John Guest Racing George Margarson 0002-04 GRAMERCY (IRE) 6-8-08 Dr Marwan Koukash David Simcock 300-331 THE CONFESSOR 6-8-08 Six Too Many Henry Candy 61-4000 JUSTONEFORTHEROAD 7-8-08 The Pontoon Partnership Richard Fahey 65-20110 BOOTS AND SPURS 4-8-08 Colin Bryce Elaine Burke (0)40-5161 ASHAADD (IRE) 3-8-07 (3lb Ex) Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum Roger Varian 036(1)-13 OUT DO 4-8-07 Leonidas Marinopoulos Luca Cumani 4-(1)(1)120 NEWSTEAD ABBEY 3-8-07 Let's Be Lucky Partnership David Barron 1302-50 JACK'S REVENGE (IRE) 5-8-07 PJL Racing George Baker (1)(1)-4061 CORRESPONDENT 3-8-07 Poilin Good Brian Meehan 230-(2)041 GLEN MOSS (IRE) 4-8-06 (3lb Ex) John Grant Charles Hills (4)(1)-(4)014 HEAD OF STEAM (USA) 6-8-06 George Materna Amanda Perrett 0-(0)0001 CAPAILL LIATH (IRE) 5-8-06 T A Rahman Kevin Ryan 215-043 TRAIL BLAZE (IRE) 4-8-06 Mr & Mrs Julian & Rosie Richer Kevin Ryan 00601-0 SACROSANCTUS 5-8-06 Paul Dixon Scott Dixon 5130 JAMMY GUEST (IRE) 3-8-05 John Guest Racing George Margarson 416-006 COMMON TOUCH (IRE) 5-8-05 Broughton Thermal Insulation Willie Musson 0(6)(5)(5)-20 POETIC DANCER 4-8-05 The Laureates Clive Cox 360-R444 DUCAL 5-8-04 The Icebreakers Mike Murphy 4-60005 COMPTON 4-8-04 The Morley Family Robert Cowell 4-10204 HI THERE (IRE) 4-8-04 Market Avenue Racing Club Ltd Richard Fahey 100-365 HEFNER (IRE) 4-8-03 Clive Washbourn Marco Botti (0)03-562(1) SHAMDARLEY (IRE) 5-8-02 (3lb Ex) Andrew Tinkler Marco Botti 005-005 FARLOW (IRE) 5-8-02 Red Sky Partnership 1 Richard Fahey (1)55-(3)40 GEORGIAN BAY (IRE) 3-8-01 P O'Grady Elaine Burke 10-10103 SHEBEBI (USA) 3-8-01 Hamdan Al Maktoum Mark Johnston (0)005502 MABAIT 7-8-01 Khalifa Dasmal David Simcock 0531005 AL MUHEER (IRE) 8-8-00 Antigua Cavaliers & Ruth Carr Ruth Carr 0225624 KINGSCROFT (IRE) 5-8-00 Dr Marwan Koukash Mark Johnston 0(0)1(2)1-3 MUHARRIB (IRE) 3-8-00 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor (2)(5)0(5)011 ASKAUD (IRE) 5-7-13 (3lb Ex) Paul Dixon Scott Dixon 50-0304 GATEPOST (IRE) 4-7-13 Dr Marwan Koukash Richard Fahey (4)2(0)-060 NOBLE CITIZEN (USA) 8-7-13 Khalifa Dasmal David Simcock 01-503(3) OCEAN TEMPEST 4-7-13 Bill McLuskey & C Little John Ryan 4531-25 REGAL DAN (IRE) 3-7-11 Nick Browne, Paul McNamara, Hon Mrs Napier Charles Hills 32(1)-12 HOMAGE (IRE) 3-7-11 Highclere Racing - Dalmeny Jeremy Noseda 60(0)-00(4) GRAPHIC (IRE) 4-7-10 The Royal Ascot Racing Club William Haggas 062000 DOCOFTHEBAY (IRE) 9-7-08 Paul Dixon Scott Dixon 245330 FLASHLIGHT (IRE) 3-7-08 Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Mark Johnston (1)(2)213 HENRY THE AVIATOR (USA) 3-7-06 Crone Stud Farms Ltd Mark Johnston

81 entries remain after July 9 scratchings deadline 1 Irish-trained 1 French-trained

THE FOLLOWING EIGHT ENTRIES HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED: ARNOLD LANE (IRE), SHROPSHIRE (IRE), PARLIAMENT SQUARE (IRE), AYAAR (IRE), RIBAAT (IRE) , ROCKALONG (IRE), TOP OFFER.

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