Aidan O'Brien yesterday confirmed the Group One winner Ciro a probable runner in Sunday's Prix Noailles at Longchamp.
But he said that the ground will have to be significantly better than soft if the 2,000 Guineas second favourite Giant's Causeway is to reappear at the Curragh on Sunday.
The Ballydoyle trainer has 18 entries left in the Group Three Castlemartin Studs Gladness Stakes, including last year's Irish 2,000 Guineas winner, Saffron Walden, but a possible reappearance by the unbeaten Giant's Causeway still hasn't been ruled out.
'It would have to be nice ground, though. If it's soft, I don't think he would run,' O'Brien said yesterday of the Prix Salamandre winner, who is a 9 to 2 second favourite for Newmarket behind the Dewhurst winner Distant Music.
'It would be very hard for a three-year-old on soft ground, and while it might not be ideal for Saffron Walden either, he's a year older and he might have a better chance of coping with it,' O'Brien added.
If Michael Kinane decides to stay at the Curragh on Sunday, then Walter Swinburn is in line to take the ride on Ciro at Longchamp, the scene of Ciro's promotion to first in last October's Grand Criterium.
'He looks likely to go, and although the ground in France can change so quickly, Ciro managed to get through soft ground last time he was there,' said O'Brien.
Merger Proposals: Punchestown is the latest chink to appear in the Association Of Irish Racecourses's united front against Charlie McCreevy's merger proposals, with the directors of the Co Kildare track announcing their 'wholehearted support' for the Minister for Finance's proposals.
Apart from Punchestown, the other tracks to have given their support to the Minister's idea for giving racing all the proceeds of the betting tax in return for a merger of the AIR, the Turf Club and the IHA, are Gowran, Tramore and the IHA-wned pair of Cork and Tipperary.
A statement from the Punchestown chief executive Charlie Murless said: 'In essence, we do not support the position of the AIR. Furthermore we urge the AIR to take all necessary steps which will generate permanent funding for industry as outlined in the Minister's proposals.'
Punchestown is the most highprofile track to break ranks and have urged the AIR to adopt a more conciliatory view in seeking to reach a position which benefits the industry as a whole.
The AIR spokesman, Frank Smyth, played down the Punchestown move yesterday and said: 'Our association consists of 27 racecourses with directors from all walks of life included and it would be a little unusual if they all agreed completely and universally. It's a normal situation.'
