Cirrus well-beaten on return to action Cirrus Des Aigles was a well-beaten fifth as Novellist grabbed Group One glory in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. The seven-year-old was making his first appearance since chasing home the brilliant Frankel in the Champion Stakes last October and travelled smartly towards the head of affairs under Olivier Peslier. Moore ranged up to challenge Corine Barande-Barbe's stable star on the Andreas Wohler-trained Novellist at the top of the home straight, and it was soon evident the German runner had won the argument. The 7/2 shot galloped all the way to the line to beat the admirable Dunaden, with Haya Landa in third. Cirrus Des Aigles is officially the highest-rated horse in the world following the retirement of his Ascot conqueror Frankel. His return to action has been delayed after he suffered a setback, but he was still an even-money favourite to make a winning return to action. Although he moved sweetly for much of the journey, the mile and a half appeared to stretch his stamina and he faded inside the final furlong. The globetrotting Dunaden, winner of a Melbourne Cup, a Caulfield Cup and a Hong Kong Vase, was a fine second to St Nicholas Abbey in the Coronation Cup at Epsom on his previous outing. He again ran his usual solid race to fill the runner-up for trainer Mikel Delzangles and jockey Jamie Spencer. The only British runner in the field was Ed Dunlop's Joshua Tree, but he finished a long way back under Frankie Dettori. Wohler said Novellist will run in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, for which he was cut to around the 6/1 mark, at Ascot on July 27th. He said: "That was great. He had a perfect run round and Ryan even said he got to the front a little bit too soon. "Even though he was in front sooner than he wanted to be, he finished well and we are very happy. "If he is OK and everything goes well, hopefully he will run in the King George at Ascot. "It will be a tougher race than this, but we want to try and see what happens. "The ground was a little bit soft for him. He doesn't mind good ground, but I wouldn't like to run him on very fast ground." David Redvers, racing manager for Dunaden's owners Pearl Bloodstock, was delighted with the effort of the runner-up. He tweeted: "Very proud of Dunaden again today who will be given a break before an autumn campaign culminating with the Arc. Lovely to see."
