Dermot Weld believes Grey Swallow has developed into "the horse I always knew he would be" as he readies his charge for a campaign geared towards the ultimate goal of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

The Curragh trainer confirmed yesterday 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 11th 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," said Weld.

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 added.

"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.

"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."

Media Puzzle is set to make his long-awaited return to the track at the Curragh at the weekend. The seven-year-old has not run since his famous victory in the 2002 Melbourne Cup, but has been pencilled in for the Group Two Royal Whip over what will possibly be an inadequate 10 furlongs on Sunday.

"He's in super order, although he will probably need the run because he has been off the track for so long, and it is also over a mile and two furlongs.

"But he starts his comeback with the objective of the Melbourne Cup again, if he gets a reasonable weight and a fair shot.

"We'll see how he progresses in the coming months, but the Melbourne Cup is his target."