Rain has boosted trainer Corine Barande-Barbe's spirits ahead of Cirrus Des Aigles' comeback at Saint-Cloud on Sunday.

The multiple Group-race winner has been absent since giving Frankel a run for his money in the Champion Stakes at Ascot in October.

He has been sidelined since straining a ligament during his preparation for the Hong Kong Cup in December.

His trainer is happy with his condition as he faces 10 rivals in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

"It's his first time out this year but he's well enough for his first run," Barande-Barbe said.

"I think he will come on for the race and get better and better.

"He went to Hong Kong in December and twisted something when he put his leg in a hole.

"We have had a lot of rain this week. The going will be soft and he likes that."

His rivals include the Mikel Delzangles-trained three-times Group One victor Dunaden, Alain de Royer-Dupre's classy filly Dalkala, winner of York's Middleton Stakes last month, and sole British raider Joshua Tree from Ed Dunlop's Newmarket stable.

The 2011 Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden, who also won last year's Caulfield Cup, is attempting to win his first Group One race in Europe.