Cirrus misses Irish Champion Cirrus Des Aigles will not run in the Red Mills Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown - but all roads lead to a clash with Frankel. 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 20th. 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."
