CELTIC SWING'S comeback may be postponed until the autumn if vets advise against a Dubai World Cup bid next week, owner Peter Savill hinted yesterday. The Prix du Jockey Club winner must undergo one more examination in five days time before Savill finalises plans for the colt's 1996 campaign.

The owner suggested that if Dubai is ruled out, Celtic Swing would sit out the summer with his season focussed on an Arc challenge in October instead.

"He is very well in himself and has definitely made a lot of progress," said Savill. "But the decision we have to make is whether we bring him back for a couple of months or give him a much slower build up to make sure he doesn't get injured again."

Celtic Swing has not run since suffering a serious knee injury during the Irish Derby. He is among the reserves for the Dubai World Cup in March but this week missed an opportunity to join the line up for the world's richest race because connections were not ready to commit him as a certain starter.

"One of the vets will see him on Wednesday and there will probably be a definite announcement about his campaign at the end of the week," he added.

Dubai is a possibility rather than a probability. I'm sure others will drop out and if we indicated he would be trained for it, I think he would be invited the next time there is a drop out.

"But if he misses Dubai, we must decide whether to bring him back a month later for the Prix Ganey or wait till the autumn. Summer is not an option."