Trainer Corine Barande-Barbe is confident Cirrus Des Aigles will be in "much better condition" for next month's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot following a disappointing return to action at Saint-Cloud.

Officially the highest-rated Flat horse in training, having chased home the mighty Frankel in last October's Champion Stakes, the seven-year-old made his comeback over a mile and a half in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud on Sunday.

Although he travelled powerfully for much of the journey under Olivier Peslier, Cirrus Des Aigles weakened in the straight and passed the post a well-beaten fifth behind German challenger Novellist.

Barande-Barbe is delighted to report her stable star in fine fettle and is looking forward to seeing her charge return to Britain for Ascot's midsummer showpiece on July 27.

"The King George is still the plan," the French trainer said.

"I think he will improve a lot for the run and he will make a few steps between now and then."