Dunaden has come up short in his bid to win a first European Group One, finishing second to German raider Novellist in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in France.
The winner of the 2011 Melbourne Cup and 2012 Caulfield Cup, Dunaden closed hard in the final stages but could not catch the winner while Cirrus Des Aigles was a tiring fifth.
Trainer Andreas Wohler will now aim Novellist at the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2400m) at Ascot on July 27.
“That was great. He had a perfect run round and Ryan (Moore) even said he got to the front a little bit too soon,” Wohler said.
“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, said the horse would be given a short break before embarking on a campaign towards the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October.
Cirrus Des Aigles is officially the highest-rated horse in the world following the retirement of his Ascot conqueror Frankel.
His return to action had 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 (2400m) appeared to stretch his stamina and he faded inside the final furlong (200m).
Trainer Corine Barande-Barbe said the distance was a little too far but plans remained intact for Cirrus Des Aigles.
Source : AAP
