Conquest to swerve Epsom

Weld unlikely to stump up supplementary fee

Last updated: 12th May 2008

dermot weld

Weld: Chantilly favourite

Casual Conquest was swiftly deemed 'unlikely' to take his place at Epsom next month despite having routed the opposition in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown on Sunday.

The Dermot Weld-trained colt is not entered in the June 7 Classic and will probably head for the French or Irish equivalents after beating 4/6 favourite Washington Irving by six lengths.

"He's potentially a very good horse who had a little hold up early in the year," Weld told the Racing Post. "He was quite backward in the spring but I knew he had come on well in the past 10 days.

"We'll talk to Walter Haefner (owner of Moyglare Stud) and see what he wants to do, but fortunately we don't have to go to Epsom. We could supplement him but it will cost £75,000.

"There is the Prix du Jockey Club and the Irish Derby to consider, and my first reaction is that Casual Conquest will probably go to Chantilly."