Cirrus Des Aigles Favoured for Hong Kong Cup Win

We’ve got a fascinating iteration of the Hong Kong Cup with last year’s winner California Memory trading as the second choice behind Sheema Classic  winner Cirrus Des Aigles, who will take a second crack at this race having finished fifth last year, two lengths off the pace. A number of other fascinating local runners will contest this one and some high-profile shippers from Australia should also make their usual appearances. Expect some real fireworks at Sha Tin this time around. 

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Cirrus Des Aigles had a very solid 2012 campaign despite finishing second in his seasonal debut at Chantilly in a low level conditions race. He then went on to ship to Dubai and conquer the Sheema Classic three weeks later, defeating some very prominent horses (including St Nicholas Abbey) in the process. He was sent out of the gate at a very tempting 11/4 and it was the highest price he ran at all year, if you exclude his 9/2 listing against Frankel. 

Victories in the Prix Ganay and Qatar Prix Dollar, both Group 1 fixtures, saw him take substantial races but (unfortunately) reiterate his position as a horse for course at Longchamp. 

Punters will find Cirrus Des Aigles trading as the significant betting choice with all European ante post markets with many pricing the six-year-old gelding as short as 5/4 for the big victory in Japan. 

California Memory won last year’s race - beating Irian by a length when sent off at around 7/2. The six year-old grey then beat Irian again by a short head just three weeks back over course and distance in the Longines Jockey Club Cup. A disappointing run in the Singapore Airlines International Cup at Kranji saw him finish seventh, well off the pace, despite being sent out of the gate at 5/1. 

The former Hong Kong Gold Cup winner does know how to get the job done and really looks to be a natural over this surface. Bookmakers have him trading around 4/1. 

Punters will also find Carlton House, the Queen’s horse, sitting at a lengthy 14/1 price tag to get what would be a very famous victory in Hong Kong. He was last seen finishing fourth to Excelebration on Champions Day. He’s still not scored since May when he captured the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown. 

Other notables include Alcopop at 12/1, Giofra at 9/1 and Military Attack at 33/1.