Dermot Weld believes Grey Swallow has developed into "the horse I always knew he would be" as he readies his charge for a tilt at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
The Curragh maestro confirmed today that Grey Swallow will run next in the Baileys Irish Champion Stakes on his way to a crack at the Longchamp showpiece on October 3rd.
The son of Daylami ran the race of his life in the Budweiser Irish Derby in June to beat Epsom hero North Light, getting every yard of the mile and a half trip on his first try at the distance.
That run came on the back of placed efforts in the English and Irish 2000 Guineas over a mile.
He will tackle 10 furlongs at Leopardstown on September 11tg in what Weld describes as a "prep race" for the Arc.
"We now know he gets a mile and a half in a really strongly run Derby. The Arc is his autumn target, but the Irish Champion is, if I can use the word, his prep race. But it's a very tough prep race and maybe even tougher than the Arc," the trainer told At The Races.
The Leopardstown contest is also the intended target of brilliant King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes winner Doyen.
Grey Swallow has at last fulfilled the promise he showed as a juvenile, when he was unbeaten in three starts.
"He was a brilliant two-year-old, that's why he was champion two-year-old of Ireland. He ran fourth in the English Guineas and third in the Irish Guineas and he has progressed," Weld said.
"The conditions in the spring were changeable and a lot of the horses weren't at their peak. There were little viruses floating around and my overall team had not struck real form.
"Grey Swallow was always healthy, but the horses around him were just running slightly beneath what I know they are capable of and I'm sure he was just beneath the top of his form.
"The Guineas come very early in the year, too early I think. He ran two excellent races in them but I now believe he has matured into the horse I always thought he would be.
"I said before the Irish Derby that he was a better horse. He was stronger and physically better and he has continued to progress."
PA