Flintshire aiming for Vase repeat for Andre Fabre

Veteran French trainer Andre Fabre feels he has taken the "safest option" in opting to bid for a repeat win in the Hong Kong Vase with Flintshire.

Something of a nearly horse in Europe, where he has finished second in the Coronation Cup and the last two Prix de l'Arc de Triomphes, he has also won a Grade One in America to go with his success at home and in this race last year.

Fabre, who turned 70 this week, had considered taking his charge to the Japan Cup instead but decided to stick to what he knew.

"Flintshire is in good form and is doing really well. I am very happy with him," said Fabre.

"He showed last year that he enjoys the course at Sha Tin. I had considered running him in the Japan Cup this year but, given he had won in Hong Kong before, we thought it was the safest option to go back there with him."

Sir Michael Stoute has always been a man to be feared, too, with his overseas raiders and his runner, Cannock Chase, already has one big pot in his bag, the Canadian International.

"I was very impressed with him in the Canadian International and we've stepped him up to a mile and a half on his last two starts which really suits him well," Stoute told At The Races.

"Canada was his best performance to date, he won very comfortably but he has been very consistent.

"He started off at Sandown in the Gordon Richards but the ground was too soft, as it was at Chester.

"He ran better than it looked in the Prince of Wales's at Royal Ascot because he just couldn't get out when he wanted.

"In the Winter Hill at Windsor the ground was against him again, but he got his ground in Canada.

"We had some niggles with him after ran in tacky ground at Chester, although he ran a decent race at Ascot I don't think he was as good as we could get him, I think he is now.

"Flintshire is very admirable and won the race last year, he'll be tough to beat, we've a bit to find on him but we're in good shape."

The nine-year-old Cirrus Des Aigles is a regular visitor to the meeting but has yet to win with his best effort coming in 2013 when he was third in the Cup.

"He knows this place so well and I can honestly say that I think he's as good as ever. He certainly looks it but we just don't want him to pull too hard," said his popular trainer Corine Barande-Barbe

"On quick ground Cirrus is now able to run better over the 2400m than 2000m. Remember, he won the Coronation Cup at Epsom over 2400m on fast ground and was first and second over that distance at Meydan.

"I haven't told him how old he is!

"I have had old horses who have been retired and they ended up getting depressed in a field. We'll end when he tells me.

"If he wins another Sheema Classic in Dubai in March that might be the time to stop."

Highland Reel represents Aidan O'Brien but his chance may have been compromised by the draw.

Pat Keating, looking after Highland Reel for O'Brien, was philosophical: "I was hoping for somewhere between two and seven.

"As I was last up, and nine was all that was left, I'll take that."