• Horse racing

Cirrus Des Aigles camp 'not scared of Frankel'

ESPN staff
October 19, 2012
CIrrus Des Aigles returns to defend his Qipco Champion Stakes title at Ascot © PA Photos
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Cirrus Des Aigles' trainer Corine Barande-Barbe insists she is "not scared of Frankel" and believes her charge is still improving ahead of the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot.

The French six-year-old is considered the likeliest threat to Frankel's unbeaten record in his final race on Saturday, but Barande-Barbe is adamant that, win or lose, his best is yet to come.

"Every race he has run in, he always seems to take one step up and he always seems to look his best when he tries something new," Barande-Barbe said.

"We ran him over a mile and a quarter in last year's Champion Stakes and we thought that was him at his best - then we ran him over a mile and a half in Dubai, and it looked like that might be his best.

"Last year he wasn't even a Group One winner before the Champion Stakes. He won and he showed that the better the field, the better he is.

"Maybe he's still improving. On Saturday it could be the best in the world over a mile to middle distances against the best over 10 furlongs to a mile and a half.

"Whatever happens, it will be a great experience and we will enjoy it. If he wins, I will be pleased, but I won't be surprised.

"My horse has already been beaten and I know his level of ability. I'm not scared of Frankel."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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