Corine Barande-Barbe is looking forward to taking on St Nicholas Abbey again with Cirrus Des Aigles in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on July 27.

Only a quarter of a length separated them in last year's Dubai Sheema Classic with the French-trained runner coming out on top but St Nicholas Abbey took advantage of his absence at Meydan this year.

The pair are among the best middle-distance older horses in training at present and the Ascot race looks a mouth-watering prospect.

"We are looking forward to bringing Cirrus Des Aigles over to Ascot again," said Barande-Barbe.

"We gave him a precautionary entry in the Grand Prix de Vichy on July 17 in case I wanted to give him a prep run but it is a bit too near the King George and a bit too far from my stables.

"He is very, very well at the moment. He improved for his run at Saint-Cloud and improved with each piece of work afterwards - he has been really impressive."

There are 13 possible other runners, including the German raider Novellist, impressive when winning at Saint-Cloud in the race Cirrus Des Aigles made his comeback.

St Nicholas Abbey's trainer Aidan O'Brien has also left in Mars, Battle Of Marengo, Ernest Hemmingway and Chamonix, but has taken out Magician, Imperial Monarch, Ruler Of The World and Camelot.

Libertarian, Al Kazeem, Dunaden and The Fugue have also been taken out.

Ektihaam, Mukhadram, Universal, Red Cadeaux, Trading Leather and Very Nice Name are among those remaining.