Meld Stakes next stop for Casual Conquest

Casual Conquest is reported to be on course for the Meld Stakes at Leopardstown on Thursday week, with a crack at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe his big target.

The Dermot Weld-trained colt will have to give weight all round in the Group Three contest over a mile and a quarter because of his victory in the Group One Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh on his latest start.

That success came after he was beaten by Bronze Cannon in a three-horse affair for the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket in May. The winner gave the form a boost when following up in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.

“He was a long time off before Newmarket, he was ring-rusty and the ground was a bit too hard for him,” said Stan Cosgrove, racing manager for owners the Moyglare Stud.

“He’s very well, he’s only run six times and we’ll keep him going. The Arc is the plan.”