Corine Barande-Barde expects Cirrus Des Aigles to strip much fitter in Saturday's Prix Dollar at Longchamp, for which he is one of 11 possibles.
The nine-year-old, who has won an incredible 22 races in a 64-race career, claimed the Prix Dollar in 2010, 2012 and 2013 as well as being first past the post 12 months ago, only to be disqualified and placed fifth.
Injury has hampered him this season and he was seen most recently finishing last of the seven in the Irish Champion Stakes, but his trainer feels he will be close to concert pitch this weekend.
"He's very well. I think he needed the race (at Leopardstown) and it was probably not so easy first time out after three months (off), because of the trip first of all and the going was very good. It was probably a bit hard for him," she told At The Races.
"He's shown he needed the race and he's in cracking form.
"I think the going will be good for everyone and I think he's better than ever.
"He loves Longchamp, he loves this race. Except the fact that he will give weight (away), I'm very confident."
Asked about the Champion Stakes at Ascot, she said: "It's the plan. The result and how he is after the races always decides what he is going to do next, so he'll decide."
Ralph Beckett's Air Pilot, the Charlie Appleby-trained French Navy and William Haggas' Mutakayyef represent the British challenge.
The Andre Fabre-trained pair of Fractional and Elliptique along with the German challengers Guiliani and Wild Chief look the stiffest of the remainder of the competition.
Toormore, Salateen and Johnny Barnes feature in the Prix Daniel Wildenstein from the yards of Richard Hannon, Kevin Ryan and John Gosden respectively, while Wild Chief is also in the race as is Fabre's Miss France.
Gosden's Galtres Stakes winner Martlet is the only possible from Britain in the Prix De Royallieu.
Dermot Weld's Zannda and Pat Fahy's Ballybacka Queen represent Irish interests.
There are no Irish or British entries in the Group Two Prix Chaudenay over nearly two miles.
