RACING: Most racehorse trainers would regard a platoon of Press descending on their yard with the sort of enthusiasm that Egytians used to reserve for locusts.

In contrast Dermot Weld has always rather enjoyed the media game but yesterday morning he was in the unusual position of having to compete for attention.

As the cream of his powerful string ambled past a viewing stand built into the side of a covered arena, all eyes were on the grey colt in front. There was nothing too unusual in that. After all, Grey Swallow is unbeaten, has a 6 to 1 price tag around his neck for the 2,000 Guineas and might just be in possession of the most powerful engine ever seen at Rosewell House. But what was definitely unusual was the glare coming back.

Grey Swallow must have circled 10 times in front of the hack pack and each time he craned his neck sideways towards the nearest notepads as he walked past. By the end those nearest the front were starting to shuffle uneasily backwards. Star two-year-olds who fail to train on are not uncommon but whatever might happen, diffidence is not going to be a problem with this one.

"I think he's looking to see what you are writing about him," laughed Weld, no doubt hoping that Grey Swallow's reading vocabulary will ultimately extend to include the sicklier extremes of sports-scribbling hype. Mind you there are plenty who feel the Curragh trainer is already looking ahead to the 2004 classics with more than just hope.

Despite a worldwide reputation forged from winning Melbourne Cups, a Belmont Stakes and top level victories on five continents, Weld had to wait 22 years for a second British classic victory with Refuse To Bend in last year's Guineas.

That colt is now safely sold and with Godolphin in Dubai but in his place is Grey Swallow who won both his juvenile starts by clear daylight, topped the Irish juvenile classifications and earned Weld's admiration as the best two-year-old he has trained.

Significantly there is real confidence Grey Swallow can become the best three-year-old Weld has ever had too.

"He is very similar to Refuse To Bend in that they are both very relaxed and straightforward to train," Weld said.

"He has definitely grown and strengthened and developed into a lovely colt. We haven't asked him to do anything serious yet but the little bits we have asked him have been very good.

"The plan has been to run him first in the Guineas Trial at Leopardstown but the only concern is that there is only two weeks between that race and the Guineas. Last year it was three. He will either run there or go straight to Newmarket," he added.

Weld failed to secure a winner on the openign day of the season at the Curragh on Sunday but Evolving Tactics has already won in Dubai and will take on Refuse To Bend in Saturday's $2 million Dubai Duty Free Stakes.

That colt is part of an older-horse brigade at Rosewell that ranks with the best in Europe.

Vinnie Roe will be trained for the Ascot Gold Cup and a fourth Irish Leger while the 2002 Melbourne Cup hero Media Puzzle is back in full training after a leg injury kept him on the sidelines last year. Throw in In Time's Eye who is being aimed at the Ebor, plus the English St Leger fourth Maharib who will reappear in the Vintage Crop Stakes next month and Grey Swallow and his three-year-old colleagues have plenty of good examples to follow.

Of that classic crop Weld appears to especially like the chances of the Danehill colt Simple Exchange who could reappear in the Tetrarch Stakes after progessing physically through the winter.

Then there is Wathab, trained by Kevin Prendergast at two, but now being aimed at the Loughbrown Stakes on Sunday week.

There are also 60 two-year-olds waiting to be unleashed but if Grey Swallow really is as good as Weld thinks he might just be, then 2004 really could be exceptional.

In fact the little colt with the big attitude may end up with glasses he has to read about himself so much!

Weld on this year's prospects

THREE-YEAR-OLDS

Grey Swallow: "He has matured both physically and mentally and grown into a lovely horse. He will definitely get a mile and possibly 10 furlongs as he is so relaxed. At a mile and a half there would have to be doubts."

Simple Exchange: "He bolted up in a Listed race last year when he was still immature. He has progressed very well through the winter and should certainly be a Group horse this season."

Wathab: "He is an interesting colt that was runner-up in the National Stakes in a busy year. He is quite forward and I see him as a seven furlong to a mile horse."

Misty Heights: "She was fourth in the Moyglare and runner-up in the Park Stakes. A hard-knocking, tough sort who won't be far off the top."

Medicinal: "A Linamix colt who won his only start at Gowran in October but looks more of a three year old sort. He will be entered in the classic trials."

OLDER HORSES

Vinnie Roe: "He's in great order and I'm expecting another big year. We will try for a fourth Irish Leger and give him another crack at the Ascot Gold Cup. He'll start off in the Savel Beg or the Yorkshire Cup."

Media Puzzle: "His target is the Melbourne Cup again. He had problems last year and when in doubt it's best to leave off. He is very well again and he'll be ready to run in May or June."

In Time's Eye: "Even though he's a Royal Ascot winner I still believe he hasn't fulfilled his potential. There's a big one in him and we're looking at the Ebor."