Cirrus Des Aigles' connections deny wrongdoing after he tested positive for a banned substance

Updated: Monday, 02 Jul 2012 11:57 | Comments

Cirrus Des Aigles, seen here beating St Nicholas Abbey in the Dubai Sheema Classic, has tested positive for a banned anti-inflammatory

Connections of Dubai Sheema Classic winner Cirrus Des Aigles have strenuously denied any wrongdoing after it was revealed that the six-year-old tested positive for a “massive dose” of a banned drug.

A spokesperson for France Galop, the governing body of racing in France, confirmed the positive test, which came from a routine test taken after the gelding’s defeat in the Prix d’Ispahan at Longchamp in May.

In a statement to the Racing Post, trainer Corinne Barande Barbe said: “We have learned from France Galop that after his second place finish in the Prix d’Ispahan on 27 May this year, Cirrus Des Aigles tested positive for a dose of an anti-inflammatory described as ‘massive’.

“Having not administered any prohibited substance to him ourselves, we are convinced it can only be a case of malevolence or else an error was made with the sample. We have therefore filed a complaint.”