Derby ruling on Conquest after workout

RACING NEWS ROUND-UP:A CRUCIAL workout after racing at Leopardstown tomorrow night could provide the green light for the Derby favourite Casual Conquest to actually go to Epsom in 11 days' time.

Although the unbeaten Dermot Weld-trained colt is as low as 5 to 2 with some firms for British racing's blue riband race he is as yet not a certain starter at Epsom.

Weld stressed yesterday that Casual Conquest will be left in this Sunday's Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly but also said a decision on which Derby the exciting Moyglare Stud-owned horse will eventually run in is likely to be made after tomorrow night's post-race gallop.

"I had planned to work him at the Curragh this morning but the ground was too firm. So with rain forecast for Tuesday I plan to ask Leopardstown for permission to work after racing. Hopefully all will go well and then we will see how he comes out of it," the Curragh trainer said yesterday.

"On Thursday morning I will ring Mr (Walter) Haefner (Moyglare owner) in Switzerland and we will make a decision. There's no point doing that until after he works," he added.

If Casual Conquest does get the nod to run at Epsom, he will have to supplemented into the race at a cost of approximately €95,000 but it has already been confirmed that the cost is not an issue for the Moyglare owner.

"I am very aware of the public need for information but I'm leaving a decision as late as possible because I want to be as accurate as possible. We have to be cautious. No one wants to see people backing this horse for Epsom and not even getting a run for their money.

"He will very definitely be left in the French Derby on Sunday but I will also discuss things with Pat (Smullen) and then we will make our minds up," Weld reported.

Ante-post moves in classic betting by the usually well-informed Ladbrokes firm at the weekend suggested the Weld-Smullen team could even wind up aiming at a remarkable Epsom double as the unbeaten filly Chinese White appears to be back in the Oaks picture.

Weld had described Chinese White as an unlikely Epsom starter after her win at Gowran earlier this month but yesterday Ladbrokes installed her back in the Oaks betting as a 4 to 1 shot.

"Gowran did take a lot out of her which is why I mentioned the Irish Oaks. But I'm a lot happier with her now and I will discuss things with Lady O'Reilly later in the week. We'll make a decision then" he said.

The top of the Oaks market is currently dominated by Irish-trained horses with Jim Bolger's Lush Lashes as low as 6 to 4 favourite and followed in the betting by John Oxx's Katiyra, Aidan O'Brien's Sail and Chinese White.

As well as Casual Conquest, the other Irish star at the head of the Derby betting is the double-Guineas hero Henrythenavigator who emerged unscathed from his exploits at the Curragh over the weekend.

Other Aidan O'Brien-trained Derby contenders include the Dante runner-up Frozen Fire, the Lingfield winner Alessandro Volta and the Derrinstown runner-up Washington Irving. "This week will be a big week for all of them," O'Brien said.

John Magnier's statement that his personal preference is for Henrythenavigator to run at Epsom has resulted in the Kingmambo colt dropping to as low as 7 to 2 with some firms for the Derby.

Other fall-out from the classic weekend is John Murphy's decision to lodge an appeal tomorrow against Tuscan Evening's demotion from second to fourth in the 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh.