CONQUEST LOOKS ON THE CARDS.

Byline: PETER O'HEHIR

CASUAL Conquest will be the star attraction in the Group 3 Meld Stakes at Leopardstown tonight.

But trainer Dermot Weld warned yesterday that the four-year-old, placed in both the Epsom and Irish Derbys last year, is coming back from a short break, following his defeat of stable-companion Famous Name in the Tattersalls Gold Cup back in May.

Beaten by Bronze Cannon on his seasonal debut at Newmarket, the Moyglare Stud Farms' colt has the Arc as his long-term target. And his preparation starts tonight.

The Tattersalls Gold Cup form has been boosted by Famous Name, a winner twice in the intervening weeks, and, although set to shoulder the hefty burden of 10-0 tonight, which includes a 7lb Group 1 penalty, Casual Conquest should triumph.

Casual Conquest looks a true Group 1 performer and should prove too good for Kevin Prendergast's tough filly Beech Bunny and the Pat Flynn-trained She's Our Mare.

The Korean Racing Authority Tyros Stakes has been won by some smart juveniles in recent season, notably Teofilo, New Approach and Rip Van Winkle.

And the Aidan O'Brientrained Cape Blanco looks best in tonight's tightly-knit re-newaof the Group 3contest.

TRIUMPHED This chestnut son of Galileo triumphed on his debut at Fairyhouse last month, when defying his inexperience to see off the talented Baglioni.

Cape Blanco struck me a promising staying prospect on that occasion and, with plenty of improvement anticipated, I expect Johnny Murtagh to make good use of the colt's stamina and his inside draw.

Ger Lyons' Perfect Symmetry followed-up a Leopardstown maiden win with a workmanlike success in a listed event at Fairyhouse.

But he doesn't have the same scope for improvement as Cape Blanco while Jessica Harrington's Miracle Match looks another possible threat. But Cape Blanco is a confident choice.

And the Paul Deegan-trained Bobbyscot, a morning mover in the market for a recent nursery at the Curragh, but withdrawn because of deteriorating ground conditions, makes plenty of appeal in the opening Irish Stallion Farms Median Auction 2-Y-0 Maiden.

This fellow has run three times and, if he reproduces his course and distance third behind subsequent winners Alfred Nobel and Montecchio, he should be tough to beat.. DERMOT Weld confirmed yesterday that Galway specialist Ansar has been retired, at the age of 12.

CAPTION(S):

WARNING Dermot Weld