Andre Fabre plans to make a late call on whether to let Territories take his chance in Sunday's Prix Jacques le Marois due to concerns about the ground.
Runner-up to Gleneagles in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, the Godolphin-owned colt went once place better to claim Group One glory in last month's Prix Jean Prat.
Territories would be a major contender to add another top-level prize to his CV if he takes his chance at Deauville this weekend, but Fabre admits the heavy rain that has hit the track is far from ideal.
"The going is a concern and on top of that, they are running handicap races on the track before the race, which could ruin the ground," said the trainer.
"I am happy with the horse, but I might make a last-minute decision (on his participation).
"He is really a good-ground horse."
Territories is one of three runners in the race for the master trainer.
Esoterique, a winner over the course and distance in last season's Prix Rothschild, turns out just a week after finishing a close second to Muhaarar in the Prix Maurice de Gheest.
Fabre's third runner is Vadamos, who takes a big jump in class after winning a Chantilly conditions event last month.
"She (Esoterique) is fine and has spent the week in Deauville enjoying herself," said Fabre.
"She has nothing to lose. She has already won at Deauville and has won there over the mile.
"I would prefer good ground for her, also.
"Vadamos' work in the morning would suggest he can be competitive in this category.
"Work in the morning and races are different, of course, but I am impatient to run him in this kind of race."
A strong British challenge is headed by Richard Hannon's Toormore, who got off the mark for the campaign in the Lennox Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
The champion trainer, who also runs Estidhkaar, said: "I don't think I have had Toormore in better nick. He has eaten everything put in front of him and has done everything right.
"He showed he likes the soft ground in the QEII last year.
"We have been waiting for the ground with Estidhkaar since the Guineas."
Paul Hanagan rides Estidhkaar for his boss, Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.
He said: "We have waited a long time for him and I am looking forward to riding him.
"He has just found the ground a bit fast, as he likes to get his toe in.
"I don't know how soft it will be out there and I am not sure whether he wants it that soft."
Roger Varian is thrilled the rain has come for last year's Dewhurst hero Belardo.
"Belardo has come out of Goodwood in good form. It will be the first time this season that he has encountered soft ground and we hope that this helps him show on the racetrack what he shows us at home," the trainer told his website www.varianstable.com.
"We have not lost faith in him and are expecting him to run very well."
The Olly Stevens-trained Lightning Spear completes the raiding party.
The four-year-old won each of his first four starts before chasing home Arod in the Summer Mile at Ascot.
"Lightning Spear has been a revelation this year, improving with every run. He is a sublimely good looking horse," Stevens said on his website.
"While unexposed, we feel he deserves a shot at a big prize, we're certain that we haven't got to the bottom of him yet and that he is coming on for every run.
"As far as the ground is concerned we will have to see how it is on the day of the race. His form is mostly on quick ground and Polytrack, however, as a son of Pivotal out of a mare who relished the soft, to try something more 'souple' doesn't seem too rash.
"He is very well and we think the world of this horse."
Karakontie, not seen since landing the Breeders' Cup Mile at Santa Anita last November, also features in an excellent field.
