Dermot Weld says Harzand "probably looks better than ever" as the dual Derby hero gears up for a return to the track next month.

The Aga Khan-owned colt is in training for the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on September 10th, after which he will be primed for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly.

Weld told the Telegraph: "I've had Harzand back in for a couple of weeks and he probably looks better than ever.

"The present plan is that he's likely to run at Leopardstown in the Irish Champion Stakes and then the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe."

Fascinating Rock, absent since winning the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh in May, could join stablemate Harzand in the Irish Champion Stakes, as part of a two-pronged assault for Dermot Weld.

Weld: "He's in the Juddmonte (at York next week) but isn't quite there. He can run in the Irish Champion as well."