THE French giant killer Cirrus Des Aigles is poised to take some new scalps in this afternoon’s Qipco Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown and his current price of 10/1 looks tempting.

The nine-year-old gelding is following in the footsteps of John Henry who at the same age won three Grade 1 races before retiring on June 21st 1985.

Cirrus Des Aigles has already captured the Group 1 Prix Ganay this season and he appears to be spot on to make a winning debut in Ireland.

Barred from running in the Qatar Arc de Triomphe following his gelding in March 2008, he has already toppled many top performers from their pedestals.

They include the dual Arc winner Treve in the Ganay, the Hong Kong Vase and Sword Dancer Stakes hero Flintshire and, earlier in his career, St Nicholas Abbey at Meydan and So You Think in the 2011 Champion Stakes before making Frankel pull out all the stops the following year in the same event.

He also went under by just a neck to wonder filly Goldikova in the Prix d’Ispahan.

This year the d’Ispahan was his last outing before his visit to Ireland. That day he finished last of four to Solow (since winner of the Queen Anne and Qatar Sussex Stakes) but he lost a shoe and was not given a hard time during the final furlong.

Cirrus Des Aigles has only been out of the money three times (once disqualified) in 63 outings and been first past the post on 22 occasions.

Seven Group 1 races have gone his way and his earnings to date work out at over €8.4 million or more than €9.3 million when owner’s premiums are taken into account.

The son of Even Top, runner-up to Mark Of Esteem in the 1996 2000 Guineas, may well take on the likes of Golden Horn, Free Eagle, Gleneagles and The Grey Gatsby in the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes and his chance will not be affected by underfoot conditions.

Corine Barande-Barbe said of her stable pet: “At nine, he’s as good as ever. The going will make no difference to him. He won at Meydan and Ascot on fast ground but he knows how to swim. Most of his opponents don’t!”

Cirrus Des Aigles will be performing for the first time in nearly four months and his trainer feels confident that he will again test the best.

“He had a little strain after losing a shoe in the d’Ispahan. We left him calm after the race and gradually brought him back to work. He never stayed in his box during the break. We gave him time and he appreciated it.”

Corine also disclosed: “The only time I came to Ireland was for my honeymoon. Now I’m having another with Cirrus and it will be a big challenge.”

She has had two rags to riches horses in her career. The first was Carling who landed the Group 3 Prix des Reservoirs at two before being touched off in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches. She then captured the Prix de Diane and the Prix Vermeille.

“Both horses are kind of fairy tales and I feel so lucky to have had them both,” she commented before adding:

“When Cirrus arrived from stud, he was rather mature and already had a strong personality. Before being gelded he showed a lot of energy but was suffering, so life was sometimes tough. After, he concentrated on his work, was always happy and enjoyed his job so progressed quite quickly.”

The horse was also a bit of a naughty boy and Corine must have gone through many waistcoats as her pride and joy was always looking for sugar in the pockets.

“When young, he also destroyed blankets but is a great friend, impatient and a bit of a glutton when it comes to sugar, carrots, apples and love.” It begins to sound like John Henry again.

“He can also be delicate and soft and takes time to show you if he has a little scratch or something. He lifts his leg and waits for a cure.”

Corine has had so many memorable moments with the unique gelding. “From the beginning all his races brought happiness as he was always placed and better after each outing. Cirrus is genuine and enjoys his work in the mornings. Time has taught him how to prepare himself and he now shows us what to do.”

The horse had to wait until five before becoming a force to be reckoned with at the top level. “His first Group 1 win in the Champion Stakes at Ascot is unforgettable as the field was so great. Winning in Dubai was a great experience and winning three Ganays is exceptional especially when you beat Treve. Chasing Frankel home at Ascot was fantastic.”

On the question of the Arc. Corine said: “Maybe, they’ll open the Arc to geldings one day and I’m sure Cirrus would have won possibly in 2012 when Solemia was first past the post on heavy ground. It would have been enormous for the public as he is such an attraction. He has won 13 races at Longchamp and three Prix Dollars (demoted after winning last year).”

The Bois de Boulogne track will close after the Arc and be reconstructed at a cost of €131 million, so should the new Longchamp have a statue of Cirrus Des Aigles when it reopens for the French flagship event in 2017?

After all, John Henry has a statue at Arlington and Santa Anita and Longchamp already houses Gladiateur and Suave Dancer.

“Why not?” comments Corine before a cheeky laugh. “A statue of Cirrus beating Treve.”

Cirrus Des Aigles has been a whole life for his handler. “He makes dreams come true and is a world champion. He teaches me a lot every day and gives hope to many people. Cirrus makes me happy as he likes playing and joking. He pinches and hides brushes and loves to unroll bandages, but I’m not good enough to ride him as he goes too fast.”

One day, the horse must be taken out of serious training and retired from racing. “He’s used to being looked after all day but being free in a paddock is also nice. Both will be perfect and he will tell us.” Nicknamed “Champion” by his first groom, Cirrus Des Aigles used to respond as he does when he hears the voice of his trainer. She confirms that the Qipco Champion Stakes is next on the cards after Leopardstown when Christophe Soumillon will again be in the saddle. “Cirrus is in the best possible form just as when he was younger,” concludes Corine.

David is ready and fired up, bring on the Goliaths.